For a horse race billed as the richest in the world, there sure doesn’t seem to be much buzz around the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
While the winner pockets $10 million – yes, $10 million! -- only a few highly-regarded contenders were officially entered in the 14-horse field on Wednesday.
For those who bet horse racing, though, this could be a chance to score big if the two favorites, Forever Young (8-5) and Romantic Warrior (2-1), come up short in the 1 1/8-mile race over the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racetrack. The early betting line is based on international odds (gambling is prohibited in Saudi Arabia).
Forever Young, unbeaten in his seven races outside America and one of four Japan breds in the race, drew the outside 14 post. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi smiled after learning the post. “I don’t really have a preference for a gate, but I’d rather have outside than inside.”
Other notable entries include Ushba Tesoro (14-1, post 1), runner-up in the Saudi Cup last year, and Rattle N Roll (10-1, post 7), trained by Kenny McPeek and the only American-based horse in the field.
Among those who took a pass -- for various reasons -- on the long journey to the desert include 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Laurel River (injury), Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winners Sierra Leone (2024) and White Abarrio (2023), BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) winner Song of an Angel, and Todd Pletcher-trained Locked, runner-up in the Pegasus World Cup (G1).
The sixth running of the Saudi Cup will feature 10-time Grade 1 winner, Romantic Warrior, making his first start on dirt after compiling a resume of 18 victories in 23 starts and a bankroll of $22,798,595 for owner Peter Lau.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for the owner as we missed the Gold Cup and Stewards’ Cup in Hong Kong,’’ trainer Danny Shum said. “If we stayed there, we could win on the turf easily, but Peter really wanted to try the challenge of the world’s richest race and come to the Saudi Cup. We are really looking forward to it.”
Yahagi is, too, especially after Forever Young completed a final workout on Feb. 12 at Ritto Training Center near Kyoto.
"It is great that he has been able to train in the stable. He is at his peak right now,’’ Yahagi said.
Added assistant trainer Yuki Araki: "He is improving and finished well both physically and mentally. There are no concerns about his condition as he prepares to 'conquer the world.”
James McDonald, the regular rider for Romantic Warrior, has high praise for the three-time Hong Kong Cup winner.
“Every time I get on him, I feel like he is unbeatable – he just gives you that feeling and that is incredible going to these big races like that,’’ McDonald said. “I just feel like he is getting better and better at the moment, so there is no reason why he can’t be the horse to beat in Saudi (Arabia) ... He is still on an upward spiral and at the peak of his powers.”
Rattle N Roll comes into the race off a victory in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3) on Jan. 25. McPeek figures his 7-year-old has a “little advantage because we’ve won over this track.”
Half the field is listed at odds of 30-1 or higher: Intense For Me, Wilson Tesero, Wootton’son, Wait To Excel, Al Musmak, Defunded, and El Kodigo.
1 Ushba Tesoro (JPN) (Akira Sugawara, Noboru Takagi), 14-1
2 Intense For Me (ARG) (Camilio Ospina, Abdulaziz Meshref), 66-1
3 Romantic Warrior (IRE) (James McDonald, Danny Shum), 2-1
4 Wilson Tesoro (JPN) (Yuga Kawada, Noboru Takagi), 40-1
5 Wootton’son (FR) (Ricardo Ferreira, Abdullah Al Kahtani), 66-1
6 Walk Of Stars (GB) (Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupart Seemar), 20-1
7 Rattle N Roll (USA), (Joel Rosario, Kenny McPeek), 10-1
8 Wait To Excel (GB) (Adel Alfouraidi, Thamer Aldaihani), 40-1
9 Ramjet (JPN) (Kosei Miura, Shozo Sasaki), 25-1
10 Al Musmak (IRE) (Muhammad Aldaham, Thamer Aldaihani), 33-1
11 Defunded (USA) (Antonio Fresu, Abdulaziz Meshref), 66-1
12 Facteur Cheval (IRE), (Mickael Barzalona, Jerome Reynier), 12-1
13 El Kodigo (ARG) (Gustavo Calvente, Abdulaziz Meshref), 33-1
14 Forever Young (JPN) (Ryusei Sakai, Yoshito Yahagai), 8-5
Scotland Yard (USA) (Luis Morales, Nicolas Bachalard), 66-1
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.
