Michael Scofield (USA) capped his first Saudi Arabian season in style, claiming a determined victory in the Listed USD $1 million Tuwaiq Cup Presented by SHG at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday. The 4-year-old gelding, owned by King Abdulaziz & Sons, showcased resilience and class as he surged past the leader in the final stages of the 1800m contest.
Trained by Saad Aljenade and ridden by multiple British champion jockey Oisin Murphy, Michael Scofield had a challenging start to the season after transitioning from Ireland, where he had been trained previously, following his early career in the UK. Once settled, the gelding found his stride in the final straight, switching to the outside to outlast the frontrunner Bernard Shaw (USA) and secure a hard-fought victory. He beat Final Destination (GB) by three-quarters of a length, with Waqtuk (USA) a further length back in third. The winning time was 1:52.668.
Oisin Murphy said of his mount: “They were very confident. I had a beautiful run. The pace was very fast, and I thought the leader had got away. But I was on the right horse, and he ground it out when I switched him to the outside. It took him ages, but it’s nice to win a race for the connections. I ride a lot for them, and I’m very happy.”
Second-placed jockey Ricardo Ferreira on Final Destination added: “My horse is a bigger horse and has a big heart. He’s had tough races all season. Today was a good run, but if we had a better start from the middle draw, he could have won. It was too far outside in 19.”
Alexis Moreno, riding Waqtuk, noted: “He ran well. I felt the distance might have been a bit too long for him, but he tried hard. I thought we were going to get there in the final furlong [200m], but two horses finished strongly from behind us. A shorter trip would suit him better.”
The Tuwaiq Cup showcased a competitive field, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing stature on the international racing stage and the emerging talent of horses transitioning from European campaigns. Michael Scofield’s victory not only capped a successful debut season in the Kingdom but also set the tone for an exciting racing calendar ahead.
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