French trainer Jerome Reynier is confident that the unique 1800-meter, one-turn challenge of the Saudi Cup will suit his six-year-old star, FACTEUR CHEVAL (IRE), as he prepares to take on the world’s best in Riyadh on February 22.
Reynier, in partnership with owners Team Valour Racing and Gary Barber, has mapped out an ambitious dirt campaign for the talented gelding, whose breakthrough Group 1 victory in the Dubai Turf last March cemented his status as one of the world’s top turf performers. Now, the attention turns to the world’s richest race, the Saudi Cup, where Reynier believes FACTEUR CHEVAL could shine.
Although best known for his grass exploits, FACTEUR CHEVAL’s connections have turned their focus to dirt racing with the hopes of making a mark on the Saudi Cup. The horse’s first dirt outing came in the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan in January, where he finished an encouraging third. Despite facing significant kickback from his position at the back of the field, FACTEUR CHEVAL’s strong finish in the final furlong showed promise.
“He took a lot of kickback in his face from his position that day,” Reynier explained. “In the final furlong, he was walking all over them but couldn’t find any room. I thought it was a good idea to try him on dirt in the Maktoum Challenge and, if he ran well, we could consider giving the Saudi Cup a go. I didn’t want to go straight into a big race with the question mark of him handling the conditions.”
Mickael Barzalona, who has ridden FACTEUR CHEVAL in recent outings, guided the gelding from off the pace to challenge the front-running WALK OF STARS under Tadgh O’Shea. Reynier is optimistic that the one-turn, long backstretch layout of the Saudi Cup will suit his horse more than the testing two-turn racecourse at Meydan.
“Mickael believes he’ll be better suited to the conditions in Saudi compared to Dubai,” Reynier said. “The surface in Saudi is slightly different, and Mickael thinks he’ll be even better on it. The distance is also the same as the Dubai Turf, so we’re very hopeful.”
Reynier had originally considered a dirt debut for FACTEUR CHEVAL at the end of 2024, with American connections pushing for the Breeders’ Cup Classic in California. However, the trainer opted to stay in Europe, targeting the QEII, where FACTEUR CHEVAL finished behind star miler CHARYN. Despite only one Group 1 victory to his name, FACTEUR CHEVAL has accumulated numerous high-level placings, further enhancing his reputation.
“He is a living legend for us,” Reynier said. “He’s a lovely horse and always gives his best, so it’s an exciting project to go to Saudi with him. We will see how he competes with the Japanese and Americans in the Saudi Cup before probably heading back to the Dubai Turf. The Dubai World Cup is 2000 meters with two turns on a particular surface, and I think he’ll be better suited to the Dubai Turf before coming back to Europe.”
With the Saudi Cup on the horizon, all eyes will be on FACTEUR CHEVAL as he takes on the best of the international racing scene. For trainer Jerome Reynier and his connections, the journey with their ‘living legend’ is far from over, with more high-profile races awaiting in the coming months.
