Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike features among a plethora of G1 winners entered for this year’s edition of the Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race on Saturday February 25.
Full list of Saudi Cup meeting entries
However, trainer Eric Reed is concerned the $20 million race may come too soon for the four-year-old, who is ready to resume training after a winter break.
The Dubai World Cup is another persuasive option for the popular Kentucky Derby winner, who carries the highest profile among more than 1,400 entries received for the two-day meeting Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz racecourse in Riyadh – including 600 from overseas.
According to a press release, horses from 22 countries are nominated for a a share of the $35.35 million prize fund.
After last year’s 80-1 hometown triumph, Saudi-trained Emblem Road is entered to defend his crown in the main event. Runner-up Country Grammer is also in line for a return to Riyadh, alongside Bob Baffert-trained stablemate Taiba.
Godolphin’s Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance also holds the Saudi Cup entry, while a total of 47 individual G1 winners are nominated across the two days.
Rich Strike’s presence would be an undoubted coup for the event’s organisers but trainer Reed, who told the BloodHorse that he is eyeing a five-race campaign, sounds dubious.
“The Saudi race is the big question mark because I don't know how long it will take to get him in condition for the race,” he said. “Since I've had him, he has never gone five days without a saddle on his back. So, having 40 days off is the only unknown. How long will it take to get him fit? That's what we have to figure out.”
As such, the Dubai World Cup at an extra furlong potentially comes into Rich Strike’s wheelhouse ahead of a campaign geared towards the Breeders’ Cup Classic, in which he was fourth to the great Flightline in 2022.
Five G3 races for Thoroughbreds feature in the two-day Saudi meeting – plus the newly upgraded G1 Obaiyra Arabian Classic.
Horses from Japan, USA and UAE dominate the entries across the two days while there is strong representation once again from the UK, Ireland, Argentina, France and Germany.
On the undercard, the $2.5m Red Sea Turf Cup over 3,000 metres (1m7f) could see the long-awaited return to action of 2021 Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist.
Japan’s Dubai Turf winner Panthalassa holds entries in both the Saudi Cup itself and the $1.5m Neom Turf Handicap, while the $1.5 1351 Turf Sprint could feature another clash between last year’s one-two Songline and Casa Creed.
Dancing Prince, five-length winner of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint in 2022, could be back for more – though rivals may include Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Elite Power.
Friday’s card will again feature the International Jockeys’ Challenge and the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap. The latter is an innovative contest for horses trained in countries that are not in Part I of the IFHA’s Blue Book,
Possible entries include horses from 11 countries: Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, as well as a potential first Portuguese-trained runner in the form of Gaspar Vaz’s Media Storm.
• Full list of Saudi Cup entries
Seven Days in Racing: What’s been happening in the racing world
Get rid of the whip and you get rid of the problem – Geir Stabell on the issue that plagues racing
Janney tribute after stallion Air Support is killed in attack by swarm of bees in India
A year in horse racing – our most popular stories of 2022
View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sires