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Several Saudi Cup Stars Arrive In Dubai For World Cup Night

Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who defeated Country Grammer (Tonalist) in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup this past Saturday, has arrived in Dubai alongside his erstwhile rival ahead of the Mar. 25 Dubai World Cup meeting.

Now the third-highest earning Japanese-trained horse of all time, the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Panthalassa has been nominated for both the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup, as well as the G1 Dubai Turf. Last year's Dubai World Cup winner for Bob Baffert, Country Grammer was joined on the flight by G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint second Gunite (Gun Runner), who holds an entry in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen from the Steve Asmussen barn. Another Golden Shaheen runner is Remake (Jpn) (Lani), third in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, as well as Justin (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), fourth in the Dirt Sprint on Saturday.

A baker's dozen of Japanese horses made the trip from Saudi, including 2022 G2 Godolphin Mile and 2023 G3 1351 Turf Sprint hero Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}); G1 Dubai Turf placegetter Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}); G1 Al Quoz Sprint hopeful Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}); Saudi Cup third, fourth and seventh Café Pharoah (American Pharoah), Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong), and Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}); and 2022 G2 UAE Derby winner Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach The Crown {Jpn}).

Fresh from a run in the G1 February S. in Japan, Roger Attfield trainee Shirl's Speight (Speightstown) is aiming for the Dubai Turf and has settled into the International Stables.

“It was gratifying to see our 2022 Dubai World Cup winners do so well in Saudi, with Panthalassa and Bathrat Leon winning and Country Grammer running an honorable second,” said Stephanie Cooley, International Manager for Dubai Racing Club.

“We are delighted that so many top-class horses have travelled on from Saudi and they will now have plenty of settling in time ahead of the big day. The Japanese look likely to have their strongest Dubai World Cup team ever, with several more arriving over the next few weeks.”

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Saudi Cup Card Earns Highest World Pool Turnover Mark Of 2023

Saturday's Saudi Cup card earned HK$197,800,866 ($25.5m) in globally commingled turnover via pari-mutuel organisations from over 20 countries, the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool announced on Tuesday.

The day's showpiece, the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, was the most bet contest on the day at HK$48,388,160 ($6.2m), higher than any race commingled at either of the first two World Pool racedays of the year in South Africa and Australia. It was won by Japan's Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Other highlights included World Pool ambassador Frankie Dettori winning the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint aboard Elite Power (Curlin). Yasuhiro Ikeda, the groom of Panthalassa, will receive a cheque for HK$40,000 ($5,100), as his charge's victory was selected as the World Pool Moment of the Day.

Sam Nati, Head of Comminging at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “Hitting almost HK$200million on a six-race card is really positive, particularly with The Saudi Cup itself generating the highest single-race turnover of 2023 so far. The combination of good field sizes, competitive races and a great mix of horses and jockeys from across the globe made the meeting a real spectacle for punters.”

The next World Pool day is on Super Saturday, Mar. 4, in Dubai.

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Buick and Foley Join STC International Jockeys’ Challenge

William Buick and Shane Foley are two of the jockeys that will take part in the second STC International Jockeys' Challenge at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 19. The second $20-million Saudi Cup, part of the $30.5 million Saudi Cup card, is set for Feb. 20.

“My first time riding in Saudi was around 12 years ago, I've been in and out since then,” said Buick, who rode in the original turf trials at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in January of 2020. “Last year I came over for the turf trials, which went very well indeed. The Saudi Cup raceday itself was a massive success. There were winners from all over the world, and the races were really competitive. For the organisers of a big meeting, that's your dream–competitive racing and a level playing field.

“I'm really looking forward to the international jockeys' challenge. I love these competitions. I think I've won the Mauritius one once – I've taken part in Hong Kong a few times, and there was also one the JRA used to do on Japan Cup weekend. This will be my first time riding in the Saudi challenge, and I really like the look of the format–four races, everyone riding in each race and the points system. It's simple but it works.”

“I really enjoy riding abroad and think it's massively important,” added Foley, who was runner-up in the 2020 Irish Jockeys' Championship. “The racing in Saudi Arabia is a big and growing operation as far as owners are concerned, and all it takes is to kick on with one there and you could bring an owner back to Ireland for your stable.

“I rode in the Japanese jockeys' challenge in 2018–which was a good experience–and I've ridden against some of these jockeys, like Pierre-Charles Boudot and Jessica Marcialis in the Arc and Breeders' Cup weekends. It's nice to be associated with these high-quality names and events, and I'm really looking forward to it.”

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