SAUDI ARABIA MAKES RACING HISTORY TODAY
Godolphin’s Benbatl among Dubai quartet leading charge against top American raiders at inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup
Saudi Arabia is all set to take another giant step forward and into the upper echelons of world-class international racing when it hosts the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh today.
More than 60 of the world’s best thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian horses from nine countries will compete across a high-quality eight-race card that stacks up against the sports major horse racing events including Royal Ascot in the UK, the Breeders’ Cup in America and the Dubai World Cup.
The Saudi Cup was conceptualised to highlight the sporting revolution that has enveloped the country over the past year, where it has hosted megaevents such as boxing matches, motorsport and football.
The pinnacle of today’s race day is the $20 million Saudi Cup, a 1,800 metre dirt blockbuster, which has attracted 14 of the planet’s best middle-distance equine athletes.
Dubai is well-represented in the gala which boasts a total purse of close to $30 million, which has gone a long way in attracting the highest quality of horse. Seven glittering races comprise a robust undercard comprising both dirt and turf races which will be run over distances from 1,200 metres and beyond.
As many as four runners represent Dubai connections in the $20 million showpiece, led by Godolphin’s tri-continental champion Benbatl, Satish Seemar’s stable star North America and the in-form Emirati handler Salem Bin Ghadayer’s duo of Capezzano and Gronkowski.
Unluckily disqualified
However, they confront a formidable four-strong raiding party from America headed by 2019 Cigar Mile winner Maximum Security, who was unluckily disqualified in the Kentucky Derby.
Hall of Fame American handler Bob Baffert is represented his two best older horses including this year’s Pegasus World Cup winner Mucho Gusto and 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up McKinzie.
Midnight Biscou, America’s 2019 Older Female of the Year, who strung together seven straight wins confidently takes on the boys with the iconic Mike Smith in the saddle.
Gold Dream, Tacitus, Chrysoberyl, Great Scot, Magic Wand and Mijack complete field of 14.
Benbatl, who is trained by Godolphin’s all-conquering handler Saeed Bin Surour, carries Dubai’s biggest hopes as he makes his second start on dirt, having previously been campaigned exclusively on turf.
But Bin Surour, and Benbalt’s jockey and British champion Oisin Murphy can take heart from the feedback of several jockey’s who competed in yesterday’s International Jockey’s Challenge.
Bin Suroor said, “We know that this will be a much tougher race compared to his first run on dirt and it is important that he can race handy,” he said. “He has always jumped well in his races but being able to stay out of the kickback will be key against this opposition.”