Aldaham Becomes First Locally Based Winner Of International Jockeys’ Challenge

[Wandering Eyes]

RIYADH, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA — Making his first appearance in the International Jockeys' Challenge on the eve of the Saudi Cup meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, journeyman jockey Muhammad Aldaham became the first homegrown rider to take out the competition, amassing a total of 30 points with victories in the first two legs of the series. Australia's Rachel King finished on 25 points to finish second ahead of James McDonald, whose 21 points was achieved in three races, owing to the scratching of his ride in race three of the competition.

Aldaham, who has been riding for about 15 years, guided KSA-bred sons of ex-Juddmonte runner First Defence in each of the first two legs, narrowly defeating McDonald into the runner-up spot in the second race on the program (video) before easily besting King in race three (video). Oisin Murphy won his first race in the Kingdom in the third leg of the Challenge, producing Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin A/Aziz's Honky Tonk Man (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) wide into the straight before powering clear to give outgoing trainer Jimmy Jerkens a landmark success (video). The 6-year-old was previously trained in Britain by Harry and Roger Charlton and was purchased by his current owner for 150,000gns at the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.

Jerkens confirmed that he is most likely going ahead with plans to terminate his contract in the KSA to return to the training ranks in America.

“His first start back here from Ta'if wasn't good for whatever reason, but all the other races he came second or third,” Jerkens said. When asked if his plans to leave remain in place, he replied: “Most likely. I want to thank Prince Faisal for the opportunity to train his horses.”

Jerkens will saddle Prince Faisal's Ancestral Land (GB) (Sioux Nation) in Saturday's G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

King saved the best for last astride Miyagi (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}) as he chopped out his competition in the finale over 2100 metres on turf, pulling well clear in the final stages to lock up second spot in the Challenge (video). Miyagi was previously trained by Kevin Philippart de Foy before changing hands for 55,000gns at Tattersalls Autumn HIT Sale in 2022. McDonald gained fourth in the final couple of jumps to pick up four points and finish a clear third.

Many of Aldaham's victories in the current season have come for trainer Thamer Aldaihani, who saddled race one winner Jadhoon.  One of Aldaham's biggest wins came aboard the Aldaihani-conditioned Uncle (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}) in the Listed King Faisal Cup on Jan. 4.

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