Ancestral Land is set to make a highly anticipated return to the track this Saturday, heading a full field of 20 runners in the SAR150,000 King Khaled University Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. The six-year-old sprint star, who lit up last season with four wins in Riyadh, begins his new campaign under the care of Sultan Bin Jalal, having left the stables of US trainer Jimmy Jerkins.
Representing the Red Stable of Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz, Ancestral Land is joined by two stablemates in the 1400m contest, but it is Nawaf Almudiani’s mount that commands attention. Last season, his campaign peaked with a dominant victory in the Dirt Sprint Qualifier before an honourable sixth-place finish behind Breeders’ Cup winner Straight No Chaser (USA) in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
Luis Morales’ Love De Vega (IRE) and Adel Alfouraidi’s Power Of Beauty (IRE) are expected to provide stiff opposition. Love De Vega impressed last season with a third-place finish in the 1351 Sprint Qualifier and returns after a break since March, while Power Of Beauty was eighth in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
The King Khaled University Cup is just one highlight of a competitive Saturday card. The SAR150,000 Ministry of Sports Cup for three-year-old fillies over 1800m sees Camilio Ospina take the mount on November’s standout winner Zanaat (KSA) for the White Stable of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz. Over 1600m, the SAR150,000 Saudi Broadcasting Authorities Cup for colts and geldings attracts 17 entries, with Tuwajeri (IRE) top-rated for jockey Muhammad Aldaham, trainer Thamer Aldaihani, and owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah.
Rounding out the day is an 1800m open race worth SAR120,000. Here, Alfouraidi’s Painters Palette (IRE) bids to build on a recent commanding five-and-a-quarter length victory, continuing Red Stable’s strong presence on the card.
Friday’s meeting features the Primary Champion of the Racecourses series, alongside the Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi Cup and Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Cup, each worth SAR300,000. The 1200m race for older horses includes Aldaihani’s Muqtahem (IRE), seeking a fifth consecutive win, and Red Stable’s Zefzaf (USA), back in form after a December 19 victory.
Three-year-old fillies contest the 1400m event with Sioux Perfect (IRE) looking to build on her debut win under Nawaf Aldaihani, while the maximum field of the 1800m four-year-old fillies race features Ableekh (KSA) and Okht Saham (KSA). In the 2000m Purebred Arabian Primary Champions race, Alkomndaan (KSA) and Midhass (KSA) are the top-rated contenders, with Nijinski Al Maury (FR), Saif Barzan (KSA), and Al Kaaser (FR) standing out in the open 1800m all-aged event.
King Abdulaziz Racecourse promises an action-packed weekend as these established stars and emerging talents face off in some of the season’s richest and most competitive events.
Riyadh racecards 3 January open the weekend with a competitive lineup led by Ancestral Land and other standout runners. For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.