The Saudi Cup meeting has become a defining destination for the world’s elite, and few arrive this year with a stronger sense of purpose than French trainer Jérôme Reynier. Proven at the highest international level and widely regarded as one of Europe’s standout younger conditioners, Reynier heads to Riyadh with a formidable two-pronged challenge led by the accomplished Lazzat (FR).
Based in Marseille, Reynier will saddle Royal Ascot winner Lazzat in the Group 2 1351 Turf Sprint, while stable star Facteur Cheval (IRE) returns to grass for the G1 Neom Turf Cup. Together, the pair represent Reynier’s most compelling assault yet on the sport’s richest race meeting, as he looks to improve on earlier Saudi Cup appearances.
Reynier’s previous visits yielded valuable experience rather than headline results, with Jacinda finishing 12th in the 2022 Saudi Derby and Facteur Cheval running seventh in last year’s dirt feature. This time, however, the Frenchman arrives armed with maturity, versatility and horses proven across continents.
Lazzat, owned by Wathnan Racing, brings an enviable résumé into the 1351m sprint. A winner of eight of his 14 starts, the son of Territories has already stamped himself as one of Europe’s premier sprinters. He was last seen in October when narrowly denied in the G1 British Champions Sprint at Ascot, finishing second after another bold display.
A top-level performer from an early stage, Lazzat captured the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over 1300m as a three-year-old before adding the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot over 1200m the following season. The Riyadh assignment offers what Reynier believes is an ideal platform to launch his five-year-old’s campaign.
“He’s in great shape and we feel it’s a perfect race for him,” Reynier said. “The distance of 1351 metres suits him very well. For some horses it’s a tricky trip, but for him it isn’t, and I’ve always had this race in mind.”
Preparation has gone smoothly, with a searching racecourse gallop sharpening the horse ahead of travel. Reynier is confident Lazzat’s adaptability will again be a key asset on the international stage.
“He’s been winning on right-handed, left-handed and straight courses, on good, firm and heavy ground,” he explained. “He’s just very versatile, and I’m fairly sure he’ll adapt to the conditions here as well.”
Draw and early position will play a role in the Turf Sprint, but Reynier is encouraged by his runner’s natural speed.
“The draw is important because a wide gate makes things more difficult. I’d prefer to be closer to the rail,” he said. “But our horse breaks well and can put himself in a good position. James Doyle will ride.”
The Saudi Cup meeting marks only the second time Lazzat has travelled beyond Europe. In late 2024, he finished a strong second in Australia’s Golden Eagle at Rosehill before contesting the G1 Hong Kong Mile five weeks later, where he ran a close ninth.
“In Australia they went very fast and he was challenged early,” Reynier recalled. “He nearly made it, but with the pressure over 1500 metres it proved just a bit too far. In Hong Kong, nothing really went right, but despite that he still ran a good race.”
Now older and stronger, Reynier believes Lazzat is better equipped for another global test.
“He was still a three-year-old racing older horses then. As a five-year-old now, he’s a better horse.”
While Lazzat provides speed, Facteur Cheval brings stamina and class to the Neom Turf Cup. Winner of the 2024 G1 Dubai Turf, the seven-year-old has not raced since finishing ninth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October, a contest in which he had previously placed twice.
The Riyadh race will see him step beyond 2000 metres for the first time, tackling 2100m on a flat track that Reynier believes plays to his strengths.
“The Queen Elizabeth was very tricky,” Reynier said. “We were travelling well behind the favourite, but the ground wasn’t ideal and things didn’t quite fall our way.”
Despite that, Facteur Cheval’s consistency and determination remain key attributes.
“He’s always running on. Even when he won the Dubai Turf, he kept going past the post. He never gives up.”
Reynier feels the Neom Turf Cup presents a far more suitable challenge.
“He’s been running over longer distances already, and on a flat track with good ground, I’m very confident he can stay this trip,” he said. “Now that he’s seven, he’s very easy to handle and has been working really well.”
Mickaël Barzalona, who knows the horse intimately, will again take the ride.
Both runners are set to travel on Saturday, February 7, flying from France via Luxembourg before arriving in Riyadh early Sunday morning. Reynier himself will arrive shortly before race day, aiming to oversee what shapes as his most significant Saudi Cup challenge yet.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.