There’s a sense of anticipation building across Riyadh as promising two-year-olds prepare to take centre stage in the HRH Prince Saud Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse this Friday. With valuable purses and rising stars on show, the juvenile contests promise to be a true test of potential and pedigree.
For the powerful White Stable of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz & Sons, the meeting represents both pride and opportunity. They are strongly represented across both divisions of the prestigious Cup, fielding a total of five runners between the 1600m colts’ and fillies’ races, each worth SAR 300,000.
Among the colts, Aatakum (KSA), Yumter (KSA) and Al Aas (KSA) form a formidable trio. Al Aas, partnered by Camilo Ospina, comes in with notable credentials — his six-length victory in Taif back in August left a lasting impression, marking him as one of the most progressive juveniles in the local ranks.
However, the opposition is no pushover. Muf Alwa’ayed (KSA), trained by Abdulaziz Almosa, commands top billing after his fine third-place effort in the Taif Cup Local Bred Open, setting the stage for an exciting duel.
In the fillies’ division, the White Stable again looks strong with Ana Aljonubiyah (KSA) and Mutakamilah (KSA), who were second and fifth respectively in the Taif Cup Local Bred Fillies Open. Both fillies return with something to prove, with Ospina taking the ride on Ana Aljonubiyah and Abdullah Alfairouz aboard Mutakamilah.
Representing the Red Stable of Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz, Leen Almoghtarah (KSA) will aim to bounce back from a below-par ninth in the same Taif contest. With Nawaf Almudiani in the saddle, improvement is expected if she can rediscover her earlier form.
Mayhamah and Fighter Lead Open Mile Clash
Friday’s card also features a 1600m open race with ten runners, where the White Stable’s Mayhamah (KSA) makes a quick turnaround following a strong second in last week’s Africa Cup. He faces stiff competition from Fighter (KSA), the standout of the Red Stable trio, who teams up with Adel Alfouraidi in pursuit of another big prize.
Red and White Stables Dominate Sulaiman Alhasan Award Field
Saturday’s feature, the Sulaiman Alhasan Award (SAR 130,000, 1600m), promises another chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the Red and White Stables, who supply five of the eight contenders.
The Red Stable’s Bint Farhh (KSA) — last year’s Africa Cup winner — looks a solid choice under Alfouraidi, joined by stablemate Hasna’a Alaeredh (KSA). The White Stable counters with three, led by Aethbaaraat (KSA), who returns from a year’s break after an impressive early career that included two wins in his first four starts.
Depth in Saturday’s Competitive 1800m Open
Saturday’s 1800m open, one of the most competitive races of the three-day meeting, brings together a full field of 20, spearheaded by the Thamer Aldaihani-trained Monsieur Jumbo (FR) with Aseel Alsarhani aboard. The seasoned eight-year-old last won in March and notably finished runner-up during the Saudi Cup weekend’s International Jockeys Challenge under Kelly Myers.
His rivals include the returning Thundersquall (GB), unbeaten in three consecutive races last season, as well as Badr (USA) and the ever-consistent My Trinket (IRE), who was third in the Tuwaiq Cup and second recently in Taif.
Elsewhere, in Saturday’s race seven (2000m open), the White Stable holds the upper hand with Kaflahom (KSA) and Aelam Beladi (KSA) standing out as the class acts in a relatively modest field.
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