By any measure, Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle represent one of racing’s most accomplished young partnerships, and the pair will again combine on a major international stage when they team up for the Joseph O’Brien Saudi Cup undercard at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday, February 14.
O’Brien, a former champion rider who has seamlessly transitioned into the ranks of elite trainers, is still only 32. Browne McMonagle, ten years his junior, continues to accelerate his rise after being crowned Ireland’s Champion Jockey for the first time last season. Their shared journey now leads to Riyadh, where two prestigious turf contests headline the supporting programme to the Saudi Cup.
The Joseph O’Brien Saudi Cup undercard will see the Irish trainer field a strong and varied team, led by Galen in the Neom Turf Cup, while three stablemates are set to contest the Red Sea Turf Handicap. Both races have drawn deep international fields, reinforcing their growing stature on the global calendar.
“These are races we have targeted well in advance,” O’Brien said. “They are competitive, international events, and the standard continues to rise every year.”
The partnership between O’Brien and Browne McMonagle has already delivered top-level success at home and abroad. O’Brien has now trained Group 1 winners in six different countries, while Browne McMonagle has recorded elite victories in four major racing nations, underlining his growing reputation on the world stage.
Browne McMonagle arrives in Saudi Arabia via Hong Kong, where he has recently enjoyed a productive spell. After taking part in the International Jockeys’ Challenge on the Friday evening, he will reunite with O’Brien to partner Galen in the Neom Turf Cup, a race that holds historic significance as the country’s first Group 1 contest staged on turf.
O’Brien is no stranger to Riyadh’s unique demands. Last year he saddled Al Riffa to finish just behind the winner in the Neom Turf Cup, while Baron Samedi ran a credible fourth in the Red Sea Turf Handicap in 2022. This season, the trainer returns with a deeper hand and greater experience.
Goodie Two Shoes heads O’Brien’s three-strong challenge in the Red Sea Turf Handicap. The accomplished mare, a notable performer on the international staying scene, is joined by the Group 3 winner Sons And Lovers and Tennessee Stud, who finished third in the Epsom Derby and brings proven class to the contest.
The Joseph O’Brien Saudi Cup undercard will also feature a carefully assembled riding team. Browne McMonagle will take the reins on Galen and Goodie Two Shoes, while James Doyle partners Sons And Lovers and Ryan Moore is booked for Tennessee Stud.
“All four horses have prepared well for this trip,” O’Brien said. “It’s a big stage, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they perform.”
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