Put up $20 million for a race and you lure horses from the ends of the Earth. That may be the only sure thing in racing.
The Saudi Cup (G1), the world’s richest race, will be staged for the fifth time on Saturday (Feb. 24) at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh.
As usual, it attracted a standout international field, topped by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) star White Abarrio, Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner National Treasure, and Dubai World Cup (G1) champion Ushba Tesoro of Japan.
Besides a $10 million winner’s share, it’s been an ATM the past three years for handicappers who think outside the box. The winners’ odds were off the charts: Mishriff, 2021, 19-1; Emblem Road, 2022, 113-1, and no, that’s not a typo; Panthalassa, 2023, 16-1.
Bob Baffert and Maximum Security – Courtesy of Santa Anita press release
A Champion’s Downfall: The Turbulent Tale of Maximum Security
There’s also been controversy from the start. Its first-place finisher, star-crossed Maximum Security, made the favorite players happy but, as it would turn out, not anyone else. Two weeks later, his trainer, Jason Servis, was arrested, and the winner’s share was withheld.
Last summer Servis began a four-year prison sentence for misbranding and altering performance-enhancing drugs. Last month the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia recommended that its Stewards Committee should disqualify Maximum Security. The final ruling is pending but consider it a done deal, and the runner-up, champion mare Midnight Bisou, will be declared the winner.
Racing to Riches: How Midnight Bisou’s Owners Turned $3.5 Million into a Fortune
Her owners (Bloom Racing, Madaket Racing, Allen Racing) already received $3.5 million for second. The extra $6.5 million will boost Midnight Bisou’s bankroll to $13,971,580, eighth behind all-time leader Arrogate ($17,422,600).
Even Maximum Security’s co-owner, Gary West, has said he’s in favor of disqualification. He will have lost out on $11.86 million via DQs on one horse. Maximum Security was dropped from first to 17th in the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) for interference – minus $1.86 million. That inquiry took a seemingly endless 22 minutes, just the blink of an eye compared to one that’s lasted nearly four years.
A Showcase of Global Racing Excellence: The Saudi Cup’s Star-Studded Legacy
Mucho Gusto – Photo by Ernie Belmonte
The first three Saudi Cups drew many big names, equine and human. Besides Maximum Security and Midnight Bisou (trained by Steve Asmussen), the 2020 field included Pegasus champ Mucho Gusto (Bob Baffert, fourth) and standout Irish mare Magic Wand (Aidan O’Brien, ninth). In 2021 Grade 1/Group 1 winner Mishriff (Englishman John Gosden) and previously unbeaten Charlatan (Baffert) ran 1-2 ahead of subsequent Horse of the Year Knicks Go (Brad Cox, fourth).
The Saudi Cup 2024: A Global Stage for Racing’s Greatest Surprises
When Saudi-based Emblem Road ($229.20) scored in 2022, he beat Japan’s Marche Lorraine, sixth after taking the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Behind her were Mandaloun, the Kentucky Derby and Haskell (G1) winner (both by DQ), and future Pegasus champion Art Collector. Last year’s Saudi Cup was an outlier. None of its entrants won its previous race, with winner Panthalassa coming off a 12th-place run in the ultra-competitive Japan Cup (G1).
This year’s renewal shapes up as “a jewel in the crown of international racing,” as the race’s website says. Remember that a Saudi Cup winner can come from anywhere and pay anything. Studying the past performances and replays could lead to a serious score.
Saudi Cup Results and $2 win bet payouts
2023: Panthalassa, $34.10
2022: Emblem Road, $229.20
2021: Mishriff, $41.60
2020: Maximum Security. $4.40*
*Disqualification pending. Runner-up Midnight Bisou would be declared the winner.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
