International stars Laurel River, Romantic Warrior, and Forever Young are on target for the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
The American contingent looks far from prominent, with top runners like White Abarrio and Sierra Leone recently declared out of the race.
On Friday, though, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia listed White Abarrio, recent winner of the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park, as ‘’on course’’ for the race that offers $10 million to the winner.
Romantic Warrior.
U.S. Runners may Include Rattle N Roll, Soul of an Angel, and Locked
“All the stars just weren’t lining up,” White Abarrio co-owner Mark Cornett told the Thoroughbred Daily News on Wednesday (Feb. 5).
Last year, 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio finished 10th in the Saudi Cup for trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. Shipping delays and the long travel from Florida to Riyadh likely took their toll on the horse.
White Abarrio is now back with his former trainer, Saffie Joseph, Jr., who could instead send out 6-year-old mare Soul of an Angel – winner of the BC Filly & Mare Turf (G1) — in the Saudi Cup.
Ireland-bred Romantic Warrior is a three-time winner of the Hong Kong Cup and will make his first start on dirt in the 1 1/8-mile Saudi Cup. Danny Shum trains the 7-year-old gelding, which James McDonald will ride. He’s earned nearly $23 million with 18 victories in 23 starts.
Laurel River won the 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) for trainer Bhupart Seemar. The 7-year-old Kentucky-bred raced in California before being moved to Dubai in 2024.
Asian Representation
Japan star Forever Young, winner of the Saudi Derby and the UAE Derby last year, is 7-for-7 outside the United States. The 4-year-old, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, finished third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby in a three-horse photo and third in the BC Classic. In Addition, Japan runners could include the 2024 Saudi Cup runner-up Ushba Tesoro, Wilson Tesoro, and Ramjet (JPN).
U.S. Representation
Two U.S.-based horses, Rattle N Roll and Locked, are possible. Rattle N Roll, trained by Kenny McPeek, earned a spot in the field with a win in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3). Todd Pletcher, who trains Locked, said a decision about the Pegasus World Cup runner-up hasn’t been made yet.
The Other Contenders
Among other likely starts in the Saudi Cup are Walk Of Stars, Facteur Cheval, and local challengers El Kodigo, Al Musmak, Wait to Excel, Intense for Me, Defunded, and Wootton’sun.
Also, on Saudi Cup Day, BC Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser is likely for the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2).
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.
