Local Runners Can Leave Their Mark On Saudi Cup Night

[Wandering Eyes]

One need go no farther back than 2022, when Emblem Road (Quality Road) charged home to defeat America's Country Grammer (Tonalist) and Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) in the G1 Saudi Cup, to see that horses trained in the Kingdom of Saudi Cup have managed to make an impression on the meeting, the seventh renewal of which takes place this Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

The home team fields a 14-strong challenge across five of the six group-level contests, and while each would have to find on their current form to put a scare into the foreign contingent, the depth of its talent is arguably the best in the history of event and a winner cannot be entirely ruled out.

Mhally (GB), a son of the now Canadian-based Sergei Prokofiev, was an excellent third to Golden Vekoma (Vekoma) in last year's G3 Saudi Derby and is one of five Saudi-conditioned runners in the Saudi Cup, having earned his ticket with a 3/4-length defeat of the very talented 4-year-old filly Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) in the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (King's Cup) over the course and distance on Jan. 17 (see below). The filly, who made a winning appearance on Saudi Cup Friday last year, has won six of her eight career starts. Rattle N Roll (Connect) won last year's King's Cup en route to a fifth in the main event.

 

 

Star of Wonder, a half-brother to GI Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), is one of two Saudi Cup runners for Uncle Mo, along with Bishops Bay. The 5-year-old won four of his six career starts for breeder WinStar Farm and Brad Cox and was third in the 2025 GIII Pimlico Special Stakes before selling to Pedro Lanz on behalf of King Abdullah Bin A/Aziz Sons for $325,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Horses of Racing Age Sale last July. He is perfect in two local appearances to date (see below).

 

 

The untimely withdrawal of dual Grade II winner Magnitude (Not This Time) opens the Saudi Cup door for Thundersquall (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), fourth to Mhally in the King's Cup and a latest winner of the Listed King Abdulaziz Racetrack Championship Stakes over 2000 meters on Jan. 30 (video). Haqeet (Arrogate) was a listed winner two back and seventh last time behind Thundersquall.

Saudi Arabia is also represented twofold in the Neom Turf Cup, upgraded to Group 1 status and worth $3 million this year, up from $2 million in 2025 when Japan's Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) made all the running. Bolide Porto (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), ninth last year, earned his way back into the 2100-meter contest in the Jan. 16 Listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup, just holding off a late rally from the Joel Rosario-ridden 6-year-old mare Direct Security (Ire) (Sioux Nation) (see below), who re-opposes on Saturday with the star Dominican rider back in the irons.

 

 

In the form of Muqtahem (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), the locals have arguably their best chance at a victory on the weekend in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. Since finishing second, just under three lengths behind Straight No Chaser (Speighster) in last year's renewal, the Ballyhane Stud-bred 5-year-old has rattled off five straight dominating scores, the last coming on Jan. 2 (see below) and he had the luxury of skipping trials night four weeks back.

 

 

Though he didn't face the starter for the first time until last November, Al Haram (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) is unbeaten and untested in his three starts going the one-turn mile at King Abdulaziz and has a puncher's chance in the G3 Saudi Derby. A maiden winner at first asking, the bay easily took out a course-and-distance allowance Jan. 3 and returned on two weeks' rest to take the local 2000 Guineas, finishing with a flourish to put 7 1/4 lengths on Tuwajeri (Ire) (Phoenix of Spain {Ire}) (see below). Commissioner King (Commissioner) caused an upset for Saudi Arabia in the 2023 Derby and–now based in the UAE with Bhupat Seemar–is a contender for Dubai World Cup night next month.

 

 

Prince Faisal's Zefzaf (Mo Town) is in career form at the age of six and is not without his chances in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint. Purchased for just under €500,000 at the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up in 2022 after selling for $110,000 at Keeneland the previous September, the dark bay has amassed a record of four wins from six starts on the grass, including a 3/4-length defeat of Love de Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) with Rosario in the saddle in the Turf Sprint Qualifier on Jan. 16 (see below).

 

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