Week 11 of the Riyadh racing season at King Abdulaziz Racecourse is shaping up as a festival of high-quality contests, with Group 3 Purebred Arabian action, two Listed Thoroughbred races, and Domestic Group 1 showdowns. Among the highlights are appearances from current and former British Champion Jockeys Oisin Murphy and Silvestre De Sousa, adding international flair to the Saudi racing calendar.
Murphy, riding for the White Stable of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, has strong chances across Friday and Saturday. He partners Gran Descans (GB), the former UK inmate of Harry Charlton, in Saturday’s Listed SAR800,000 King Saud Cup. The son of Frankel (GB) finished a promising fourth on his local debut under Christophe Soumillon earlier this month. Eighteen are declared for the 2000m feature, including the White Stable’s recent Crown Prince Cup second Haqeet (USA) under Camilo Ospina, and the Red Stable duo My Frankel (GB) and Motafared (USA), ridden by Adel Alfouraidi.
Tariq Almansour’s Thundersquall (GB), in the colours of Prince Saud Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, tops the ratings. The six-year-old aims to continue his upward trajectory following a notable victory over Wait To Excel (GB) here last month.
Saturday also features the SAR800,000 King Faisal Cup over 1600m. Waqtuk (USA) with Alexis Moreno and Uncle (GB) lead the challenge, facing European rivals Ya Dar (FR) and Power Of Beauty (IRE), while Ospina partners White Stable’s Star Of Wonder (USA). Formerly trained by Brad Cox in the U.S., Star Of Wonder arrives off a strong Public Security Cup victory, highlighting the international dimension of Riyadh racing.
The Group 3 Imam Turki bin Abdullah Sword for Purebred Arabians over 1600m carries a SAR900,000 purse. UAE President Cup winner Najeeb Alzaman (FR) seeks an 11th career victory, having previously bested Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah (KSA).
Another SAR900,000 prize features in the 1200m Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Cup, where the Red Stable quartet of Fighter (KSA), Rustom Basha (KSA), Saodad (KSA), and Ferreira’s Jahdoon (KSA) target continued success, with Jahdoon aiming for a fifth consecutive win.
Domestic Group 1 action also takes centre stage. The SAR800,000 King Fahad Cup for two-year-olds sees Murphy ride Mutakamilah (KSA), a recent Princess Setah Bint Fahad Aldamer Cup winner, in a full field of 20. The Domestic G1 King Khaled Cup over 1800m for three-year-olds highlights rising stars including Badr Alsamawi (KSA) and prolific mare Motathabetah (KSA).
Friday further features the SAR800,000 King Abdullah Cup over 1600m, with Murphy’s Maeyeey (KSA) aiming for a perfect three-for-three record, while Ospina partners Al Aas (KSA), fresh from two successive victories. De Sousa rides the Red Stable’s Nayaad (KSA), who follows a maiden win with a fourth in last week’s Ministry of Education Cup. He also has major chances in the supporting SAR700,000 Domestic Group 2 races aboard Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) and Bernard Shaw (USA).
Week 11 promises a mix of international talent, rising stars, and fiercely contested races, underscoring Riyadh’s growing prominence on the global racing map.
Saudi Arabia Week 11 Race Cards bring together international riders, leading stables and a strong programme of Group and Domestic features at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
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