French raider Nabucco Al Maury (FR) will be back on the big stage in Riyadh on February 13, aiming to go one better in the Al Mneefah Cup after finishing a close second in last year’s renewal. The six-year-old Purebred Arabian, now firmly established under the care of Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, renews rivalry with familiar opponents in one of the most anticipated Arabian features of the season.
Runner-up twelve months ago behind RB Kingmaker (USA), Nabucco Al Maury arrives this time with stronger credentials and greater maturity. Formerly trained in Qatar by Hamad Al-Jehani, the son of Assy joined Thomas-Demeaulte’s Mont-de-Marsan stable last spring and has continued to progress with every outing since.
Although a Group 1 victory has narrowly eluded him in recent seasons, consistency has been his hallmark. His most recent effort, when second to the outstanding HM Alchahine (FR) in the Group 1 HH The President Cup in Abu Dhabi in December, marked him out as a genuine contender once again.
“That was a really good performance,” said Thomas-Demeaulte. “He has improved with each of his runs since arriving in my yard. Finishing second to a horse like HM Alchahine was very encouraging.”
Al Mneefah Cup Rivals Await a Sharper Nabucco
The Abu Dhabi run also provided a significant form boost ahead of the Al Mneefah Cup, as Nabucco Al Maury finished comfortably ahead of RB Kingmaker, reversing the Riyadh result from last season.
“We beat RB Kingmaker quite easily that day, which we hadn’t managed before,” the French trainer noted. “He may have needed that run, and we know he performs well in Riyadh, so we’ll see how it unfolds.”
Thomas-Demeaulte acknowledged that the field remains strong, with notable opposition expected once again. Among them is the talented mare RB Mary Lylah (USA) from the Alban de Mieulle stable, adding further depth to the contest.
While Nabucco Al Maury headlines the yard’s Riyadh challenge, Thomas-Demeaulte will also saddle Lacaro du Croate (FR), the only other French-trained runner among the Purebred Arabian events. The five-year-old mare lines up with solid Group 1 form of her own, having captured the Critérium des Pouliches – Wathba Stallions at La Teste last July.
She returned from her winter break with a promising second in a conditions race at Pau, finishing behind dual Triple Crown champion Al Ghadeer (FR).
“She did exactly what we wanted,” said her trainer. “Al Ghadeer was expected to beat her, but she ran her race and came out of it very well.”
Persistent heavy rainfall across southwest France forced a change in preparation plans, with both Nabucco Al Maury and Lacaro du Croate given a final serious workout at Pau.
“The weather has been very difficult,” Thomas-Demeaulte explained. “So I decided to take them to Pau for a proper gallop. The jockeys were great, and both horses worked well and are in good order.”
Away from the turf action, the stable is also represented on dirt by Moshrif (FR), who contests the Group 1 Obaiya Arabian Classic. The eight-year-old has already been in Riyadh for several weeks and shaped well when fifth in a preparatory race in January.
“He wasn’t fully fit then, but it was still a good run,” said Thomas-Demeaulte. “He has stayed on since, and when I saw him recently, I was very happy with how he looked.”
A regular visitor to the Saudi capital, Moshrif finished runner-up in Riyadh in 2024 and has already demonstrated his ability to handle local conditions.
As the countdown continues, all eyes will be on Nabucco Al Maury to see whether experience, preparation, and improving form can finally deliver a breakthrough success in the Al Mneefah Cup.
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