Cosgrove Departs UK to Ride in Saudi Arabia

[Wandering Eyes]

Pat Cosgrove, champion apprentice in Ireland in 2003 and the winner of Group 1 contests in Europe, Australia and the Middle East, will serve as the retained rider for Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz.

“I'd only been back from Dubai [back in March] for a couple of weeks and was approached by Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz's team about the opportunity,” Cosgrove explained.

“”I knew how successful their operation was over there, particularly given they won the Saudi Cup back in 2022 with Emblem Road, but it was a tricky time to make a decision as racing was just getting going again in the UK.”

“I thought about it for a little while and decided it was a good thing to do. The racing, as well as other sports in Saudi, seem to be getting bigger and better every year and it's an exciting time to be getting involved.”

Cosgrave made headlines earlier in the year when he received a 28-day ban for easing up on favourite Concorde in the final stages of a mile handicap at Chelmsford.

“I have been going along OK in the UK,” he said. “There were a couple of silly incidents that put me on the sidelines for a bit, but overall I was doing well, winning some decent handicaps and operating at a good strike rate.

“I was riding winners for the likes of George Boughey, Richard Hughes, George Baker and Jim Boyle, so things were going OK, and they were looking after me well, but it feels like the racing in Saudi is really progressing and I think it's a great opportunity to take.”

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