One of three Japanese raiders, Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) came with a stinging final-furlong rally in Saturday's Saudi Arabian Airlines Riyadh Dirt Sprint and was up on the wire to defeat Matera Sky (Speightstown), who dropped a similarly gut-wrenching decision to New York Central (Tapit) in the inaugural running of the event in 2020. The locally based Faz Zae (KSA) (Mizzen Mast) finished best of the rest.
The fleet-footed Matera Sky jumped straight into the bridle from gate one and led along the inside, as recent Listed Dubawi S. hero Switzerland (Speightstown) settled on his back, with Copano Kicking worse than centerfield and out into the track after breaking from a high draw. Matera Sky still led narrowly as they neared the straight, but Switzerland was bearing down and looking every bit a winning chance. Matera Sky was clinging on gamely at the 400-metre mark and beat off Switzerland, as Copano Kicking was steered off heels and into the clear, with plenty of ground to make up. As he did in 2020, Matera Sky carried what appeared to be an unassailable advantage into the final sixteenth of a mile, but William Buick kept after Copano Kicking and shoved him across the line first. Faz Zae got his nose down ahead of Switzerland for third.
A three-time winner at group level in Japan, Copano Kicking was looking for his first victory since successfully defending his title in the G3 Capella S. in late 2019 and was a latest sixth–with Matera Sky second–in the vaulable JBC Sprint at Ohi Racecourse Nov. 3. Connections indicated that they are likely to press on to the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Mar. 27.
Bought back on a bid of $19,000 as a Keeneland September yearling in 2016, Copano Kicking was accepted into the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale, where he was purchased for $100,000. He was consigned by James and Torie Gladwell's Top Line Sales, who also prepared New York Central for the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Celadon is the dam of an unnamed 3-year-old colt by Phoenix Tower. Click here for additional background on Copano Kicking.
WATCH: Copano Kicking leads home a Japanese 1-2 in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint
Saturday, King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES RIYADH DIRT SPRINT (Cond.), $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-20, 3yo/up, 1200m, 1:10.66, ft.
1–COPANO KICKING, 126, g, 6, Spring At Last–Celadon, by Gold Halo (Jpn). ($19,000 RNA Ylg '16 KEESEP; $100,000 2yo '17 FTFMAR). O-Sachiyaki Kobayashi; B-Reiley McDonald (KY); T-Akira Murayama; J-William Buick; $900,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW-Jpn, 21-10-4-3, $3,543,367.
2–Matera Sky, 126, h, 7, Speightstown–Mostaqeleh, by Rahy. ($140,000 Wlg '14 KEENOV; $350,000 Ylg '15 KEESEP). O-Tsuyoshi Ono; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (KY); T-Hideyuki Mori; J-Keita Tosaki; $300,000.
3–Faz Zae (KSA), 126, h, 6, Mizzen Mast–Summer Forest, by Forestry. O-Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Abdulaziz; B-Flhan Bin Faisal Almindeel Sons; T-Abdullah Mushriff; J-Wigberto Ramos; $150,000.
Margins: HD, 3HF, NO.
Also Ran: Switzerland, Maypole (GB), Justin (Jpn), Oxted (GB), Raaed (Ire), Brad the Brief (GB), Harry's Bar (GB), New York Central, Roman River (GB), Raucous (GB). Click for the Racing Post chart.
Making his first afternoon appearance on the dirt at career start number seven, Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) provided his home country and trainer Hideyuki Mori with a second victory in as many runnings in the Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Saturday. Cowan (Kantharos) made up a stack of ground after blowing the break to just miss and won a photo for second from New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). Full Flat (Speightstown) won for Japan last year.
When entries were taken Saturday, Umberto Rispoli was named aboard Cowan, but when the Italian was pulled from his flight to Riyadh via Qatar Thursday, Joel Rosario was released from his call aboard Pink Kamehameha in order to ride for Steve Asmussen. Top Japanese rider Keita Tosaki, who was booked to ride Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the Saudi Cup, picked up the ride and settled the colt about four off the inside as Godolphin's UAE 1000 Guineas heroine Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) set the pace from UAE 2000 Guineas runner-up Meshakel (Ire) (Shamardal). Always traveling well for Tosaki, Pink Kamehameha claimed Soft Whisper with about 400 metres to race, but soon had New Treasure and Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to deal with. But he managed to find a bit extra in the waning stages and got home first, as Cowan, last but one into the straight, closed with a rush.
“It was my first ride on him today but he produced a fantastic run even on his first time race over the dirt surface,” said Tosaki, who suffered serious injury and was sidelined for six months following a spill at Urawa in November 2019. “As he has no issues with the starting gate, he jumped quickly from the gate today. He responded to me well and had a comfortable trip all the way.”
Pink Kamehameha is one of 22 winners for his sire, a son of the aforementioned King Kamehameha (by Kingmambo) and Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}, by Sunday Silence), winner at home of the 2005 G1 Oka Sho and G1 Yushun Himba before winning the GI American Oaks at Hollywood Park. Cesario is also the dam of leading young Japanese sire Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S) and 2019 champion 3-year-old colt Saturnalia (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Pink Kamehameha is the last listed produce for his now 27-year-old dam.
WATCH: Pink Kamehameha makes a successful dirt debut in the Saudi Derby
Saturday, King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia AL RAJHI BANK SAUDI DERBY (Cond.), $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-20, 3yo, 1600m, 1:38.57, ft.
1–PINK KAMEHAMEHA (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Leontes (Jpn) 1st Dam: Tabatha Tosho (Jpn), by Dancing Brave 2nd Dam: Samantha Tosho (Jpn), by Tosho Boy (Jpn) 3rd Dam: Marble Tosho (Jpn), by Dandy Lute (Fr)
O-Hisako Kimura; B-Hatakeyama Stud Farm; T-Hideyuki Mori; J-Keita Tosaki; $900,000. Lifetime Record: 7-2-0-0, $1,104,876. *1/2 to Sweep Tosho (Jpn) (End Sweep), Ch. Older Mare & G1SW-Jpn, $6,631,021; and Tosho Freak (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), SW & MGSP-Jpn, $2,349,927.
2–Cowan, 126, c, 3, Kantharos–Tempers Flair, by Smart Strike ($185,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $385,000 RNA 2yo '20 OBSMAR). O-William L & Corinne Heilgbrodt; B-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings Inc (KY); T-Steve Asmusen; J-Joel Rosario; $300,000.
3–New Treasure (Ire), 126, g, 3, New Approach (Ire)–Maolneach, by Congaree. (90,000gns HRA '20 TATAUT). O-Prince Faisal Bin Khaled; B-J S Bolger; T-John Gosden; J-Frankie Dettori; $150,000.
Margins: 3/4, 1, 3 1/4.
Also Ran: Rebel's Romance (Ire), Soft Whisper (Ire), Shibl Lat'taam (KSA), Hatm (KSA), Magbootah (KSA), Albadri (Ire), Meshakel (Ire), Homeryan (Fr), Round Six (Ire). Click for the Racing Post chart.
The second edition of the Saudi Cup was billed as a battle between Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup winner Knicks Go and G1 Malibu winner Charlatan, but John Gosden-trained Mishriff, an Irish-bred 4-year-old colt by Make Believe who won last year's G1 French Derby, stole the show on Saturday, running down the Bob Baffert-trained, Mike Smith-ridden Charlatan in deep stretch to win by about one length under 21-year-old David Egan.
Saudi-based Great Scott finished third in the one-turn, 1 1/8-mile dirt race, with Knicks Go fourth after pushing Charlatan throughout and taking a brief lead into the far turn. The Brad Cox-trained Knicks Go was followed by Miguel Angel Silva-trained Sleepy Eyes Todd.
Mishriff paid $41.60 on a $2 wager in American pools for the Saudi Cup.
Mishriff, whose only previous race on dirt came when second in the 2020 Saudi Derby, was winning for the fifth time in nine career starts. He is owned by Prince AA Faisal. Mishriff was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by Japanese-trained Full Flat in the 2020 Saudi Derby, coming into that race off a 10-length maiden score in his third career start as a 2-year-old the previous November at Nottingham in England.
Coming out of the Saudi Derby, Mishriff won a Newmarket stakes in June, then proved 1 3/4 lengths the best in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly July 5. After a G2 stakes victory at Deauville, he finished a disappointing eighth in the G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 17. That was last race going into the Saudi Cup.
Charlatan darted to the front from the nine post in the 14-horse field, getting the jump on Knicks Go and Joel Rosario, who broke from the five post. Mishriff settled in just behind the top pair in the run down the backstretch, with Bill Mott-trained Tacitus up close and toward the inside.
Into the turn, Knicks Go poked his head in front, but Charlatan was not finished, re-gaining the lead as the field wound their way around the turn. At the top of the stretch, Knicks Go began to retreat, but Mishriff swung to Charlatan's outside and took dead aim on the leader. Despite running down the stretch on his left lead, Mishriff wore down Charlatan, taking a narrow advantage with 100 meters to run and gradually edged away.
The Saudi Cup was run under unusually cool, damp conditions at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
This was the second running of what is billed as the world's richest race, offering a $20-million purse, with $10 million going to the winner. The first-place prize money from the inaugural running, won by Maximum Security, has not been paid due to the criminal charges against the horse's trainer, Jason Servis, in the United States that were filed just over a week after his victory in Saudi Arabia. Prince Bandar, head of the Saudi Cup, said in a television interview with commentator Nick Luck he hopes the purse situation will be settled in about six weeks.
The $20-million Saudi Cup had been billed as a showdown between the brilliant American Grade I winners Charlatan (Speightstown) and Knicks Go (Paynter), but when the dust settled on the world's richest horse race it was the John Gosden-trained, Prince Faisal homebred Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) who stole the show to a raucous reception in his owner/breeders homeland.
Breaking smartly from gate 12 under 21-year-old jockey David Egan, the G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Mishriff-who also ventured to Riyadh to finish second in the Saudi Derby on this card last year-was encouraged to keep in contact with the pace as Charlatan and Knicks Go locked horns. It was the GI Malibu S. winner Charlatan under Mike Smith who came out best in the early skirmishes, but the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational victor Knicks Go under Joel Rosario refused to let his rival have things his own way, keeping close tabs on Charlatan's inside while Mishriff and Extra Elusive (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) waited in the second flight of runners on the outside with Tacitus (Tapit) on the rail. Knicks Go cut the corner and put his head in front rounding the turn, but that lead was short lived with Charlatan re-rallying at the quarter pole. It was at that stage that Knicks Go cried enough, but Charlatan's uncontested advantage was short lived as Mishriff had broken away from the pack and was rapidly gaining ground. Charlatan was game enough to hold off Mishriff until the 100 metre mark, but at last the chestnut gave way to the dark bay, and Mishriff hit the wire a length the best. It was a great result for the Saudis with the locally trained longshot Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}) getting up for third, with Knicks Go settling for fourth.
“Unbelievable,” said Egan after putting in a ride beyond his years. “I've been dreaming all my life of winning a race like this. Last year Mishriff was always a horse who seemed to jump slow; maybe it was just through immaturity. Last year in the Saudi Derby he jumped slow behind the Japanese horse to finish second–I thought to myself that if he had jumped on terms he nearly would have won last year. But he's matured throughout the year and Mr Gosden had him primed for today. He looks a million dollars–well, 10 million dollars.
“He jumped very well today, as good as the two American horses. I squeezed him on for the first 50 yards and I was actually surprised how well he went, through the back straight I was on Mike Smith's heels and he was really taking me into it. I got pressed on the rail when we started turning and that was the only worrying sign I had, when they started quickening whether I was going to get back rolling again.
“Once he ran second here last year I am sure it was on the Prince and Mr Gosden's minds to come here; he had such a good season in Europe last year and this is in Prince Faisal's back garden, it's where he lives, so it was a no-brainer. He's taken on top-class horses from all round the world and proven how good he is.
“My dad [John Egan] is helping out with the Bahrain horses and riding for Fawzi Nass in the mornings, so it is very special to have him here. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be the rider or the person I am today. He's done everything he can to help me in my career, pushed me and trained me hard. This one's for him.”
Speaking via Zoom from Newmarket, Gosden said, “Full marks to my team. I'm here in Newmarket. His owner/breeder always wanted him to come back for the Saudi Cup. He ran well here last year and through the year except for at Ascot on bottomless ground–he didn't like that ground. Otherwise he has a superb record. The team here did a very good job with him through the winter and then Thady [Gosden, son and assistant trainer] and the team did a great job out there.”
Mishriff made three starts at two, finishing fourth and third in novice races at Yarmouth and Newbury before graduating by 10 lengths at Nottingham when stepped up to 1700 metres and partnered by Egan, Prince Faisal's retained rider, for the first time. Egan was again in the saddle next out when Mishriff finished second in the Saudi Derby, and again when the colt won the Listed Newmarket S. by four lengths. Covid restrictions, however, meant that Egan couldn't travel to France for Mishriff's summer assignments, and he was replaced by Ioritz Mendizabal and Frankie Dettori, respectively, for Mishriff's victories in the Prix du Jockey Club and the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. Dettori was once again in the saddle when Mishriff checked in eighth of 10 over the soft going when last seen in the G1 Qipco Champion S. on Oct. 17.
Gosden continued, “I think there are very few horses that can switch surfaces like that. I would have to say enormous thanks to the whole of the Saudi Jockey Club for putting on such an amazing day's racing. The turf track is superb–I was blown away by how good it was when it had only been laid down a few months before when I was there last year. And I have always been told by the top American jockeys and by Frankie Dettori that this is the best main dirt sand track in the world, and I think that is very much proven today that a turf horse can actually switch to it. So many of the tracks are too loose with horrible kickback, but this is a very good test for the Thoroughbred.”
Asked whether Mishriff will be stretched out to 2400 metres this summer in Europe, Gosden added, “He will stay. I think in the end he nailed them because he could go the pace and then see it out to the end, and that was a hard-run mile and an eighth. We'll see. Thady will come back with his reports and we will discuss it all with Prince Faisal and take it a step at a time after a flight like that and training through the winter. We'll see how he is when he gets back before we make any grand plans.”
Charlatan's connections reflected on their colt's performance after, for the first time in his career, he failed to cross the finish line first. Jockey Mike Smith said, “He's just so lightly raced this year and the way the racetrack was playing all day, I got a little concerned because speed wasn't holding all day long. He's only ran once [this season] and it was a seven-eighths race. He got really tired. If he'd had two races, I think he'd win.
Trainer Bob Baffert added, “I was very proud of his effort. Going in, we thought he would run his race. Turning for home, we knew they were going pretty fast early. He's a fast horse, but that stretch–I'm glad we don't have any stretches like that in America.”
Pedigree Notes
Prince Faisal, a close relative of Prince Bandar bin Khalid al Faisal, the chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, has done a massive service to the European breeding industry through his Nawara Stud in producing Invincible Spirit (Ire) and Kodiac (GB) from his G1 Prix de Diane winner Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), and it is from that mare that Mishriff descends, she being his third dam. Mishriff's second dam Acts Of Grace (Bahri) is one of three stakes winners out of Rafha, and Acts Of Grace is now best known as the dam of Massarra (GB) (Danehill), who was bought by Coolmore for 600,000gns in 2009 and whose five stakes winners include the G1 Gran Criterium winner and stakes producer Nayarra (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), G2 Superlative S. winner and young Coolmore sire Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and G3 Silver Flash S. scorer Wonderfully (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Mishriff's dam is the winning Raven's Pass mare Contradict (GB), who has thus far outdone herself in the breeding shed with her first three foals being stakes horses. Her first was the Listed Prix de Saint-Patrick victor Orbaan (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), and her second the G3 Craven S. and G3 Supreme S. second and G3 Thoroughbred S. third Momkin (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), who is now trained locally in Saudi and was sixth in Saturday's stc 1351 Turf Sprint. Mishriff is Contradict's last reported foal.
Another branch of the family includes the G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Chinese White (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who is out of a half-sister to Rafha, and the dual Australian Group 1-winning 2-year-old Pride Of Dubai (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), who has gotten off to such a good start with his first crops in both hemispheres.
Mishriff is from the first crop of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix de la Foret winner Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}), who stands at Ballylinch Stud for €15,000. Mishriff is Make Believe's lone Group 1 winner and one of five stakes winners for the sire.
WATCH: Mishriff upsets the Americans in the Saudi Cup
Saturday, King Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia SAUDI CUP (Cond.), $20,000,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-20, 4yo/up, 1800m, 1:49.59, ft.
1–MISHRIFF (IRE), 126, c, 4, by Make Believe (GB) 1st Dam: Contradict (GB), by Raven's Pass 2nd Dam: Acts of Grace, by Bahri 3rd Dam: Rafha (GB), by Kris (GB)
O-Prince A A Faisal; B-Nawara Stud Limited; T-John Gosden; J-David Egan; $10,000,000. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur, Eng & Fr at 9.5-11f, G1SW-Fr, SW-Eng, 9-5-1-1, $11,047,442. *1/2 to Orbaan (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), SW-Fr; and Momkin (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}), MGSP-Eng, $131,343.
2–Charlatan, 126, c, 4, Speightstown–Authenticity, by Quiet American. ($700,000 Ylg '18 KEESEP). 'TDN Rising Star' O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Fred Hertrich III, John D Fielding & Golconda Stables; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Mike Smith; $3,500,000.
3–Great Scot (GB), 126, g, 5, Requinto (Ire)–La Rosiere, by Mr. Greeley. (€2,500 RNA Ylg '17 TATNOV). O-Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Abdulaziz; B-Clyne Mound Thompson; T-Abdullah Mushriff; J-Adel Alfouraidi; $2,000,000.
Margins: 1, 6HF, 1.
Also Ran: Knicks Go, Sleepy Eyes Todd, Military Law (GB), Tacitus, Bangkok (Ire), Chuwa Wizard (Jpn), Derevo (GB), Max Player, Global Giant (GB), Extra Elusive (GB), Simsir (Ire).
