Carmel Road Set for Exciting Taif Debut at King Khalid Racecourse
The stage is set for a thrilling weekend of racing at King Khalid Racecourse, with American import Carmel Road making his much-anticipated debut in Taif. The former Bob Baffert-trained colt will compete for Saudi trainer Bader Rizaiq in an open 1400m contest on Saturday, aiming to build on his international reputation.
Purchased by King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and Sons for a substantial sum, the son of Quality Road has already faced some of the toughest competition in global racing. Last season in Riyadh, Carmel Road tackled elite fields, including the 2024 Saudi Cup, where he finished behind Señor Buscador (USA), and The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup in January, where he came 11th. Dropping in class this weekend, he will be partnered by Fawaz Wannas in what appears to be a more suitable challenge.
Familiar Rivals Await Carmel Road
Carmel Road’s Taif debut will see him lock horns with several well-known Saudi racing names. Honky Tonk Man (IRE) returns for trainer Hadi Gharawi, stepping up in trip under jockey Nawaf Almudiani, while Ajwadi (GB), a recent open race winner for in-form handler Thamer Aldaihani, is also expected to be in contention.
Feature Spotlight: JCSA Almaseef Cup
While Carmel Road’s appearance adds star quality to Saturday’s card, the main feature is the JCSA Almaseef Cup Local Bred Horses Open over 2000m. Aljamaanee (KSA), trained by Gaith Alghaith for owner Prince Saud Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, will look to extend his winning streak after capturing the prep race on July 25.
His toughest opponents could be Almaqam (KSA), ridden by Camilo Ospina, and Katheer (KSA), who renews rivalry with Aljamaanee after their memorable duel in January’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for Apprentice Jockeys.
Sprint Stars Eye Local Glory
The weekend kicks off with the JCSA Sprint Cup Prep Local Bred Open, where Falah Zain (KSA), trained by Aldaihani and ridden by Muhammad Aldaham in the Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah silks, tops the ratings.
Taif Flower Festival Cup Headlines Friday
Friday’s feature, the Taif Flower Festival Cup Local Bred Open, sees leading jockey Camilo Ospina—currently topping the Taif jockey standings with nine wins—teaming up with trial winner Nowafaa (KSA) for trainer Rizaiq and White Stables.
Also on Friday’s card is the Um Alqura University Cup Open for Fillies and Mares, where Aeadat (KSA) bids for a remarkable ninth consecutive victory for trainer Ahmed Mohamoud and jockey Abdullah Alfairouz.
Ones to Watch: Promising Youngsters
Race four on Friday promises a clash of rising stars in the colts’ division. Kenzie (USA), trained by Mohamoud for White Stables and ridden by Ospina, faces Aeb Baad (USA), unbeaten under Gaith Alghaith and now racing in the Red Stable colours of Prince Faisal.
With international talent like Carmel Road joining proven local stars, the King Khalid Racecourse weekend promises high-class racing and exciting storylines for fans across Saudi Arabia and beyond.
For Carmel Road, this debut in Taif could be a defining moment in his Saudi racing career. With proven ability against elite international opposition and a more favourable race setup this weekend, the Quality Road colt has every chance to deliver a statement performance. His connections will be looking for a confidence-boosting win that could pave the way for bigger targets later in the season.
Fans attending King Khalid Racecourse or watching live online can expect not just Carmel Road’s headline appearance, but also a competitive undercard filled with established champions and emerging stars. As the Taif summer season gathers pace, each race is becoming more crucial in shaping the leaderboard, making this weekend one of the most exciting fixtures so far.
Visit the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia for full race details.
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