“As long as one of them crosses the wire first, I’ll be a happy camper!” says Saudi businessman ahead of the $20m contest in Riyadh on Saturday, February 25.
Saudi Arabia: Leading Saudi owner-breeder Amr Zedan is plotting a twin-pronged assault on the Saudi Cup with the Bob Baffert-trained pair Taiba and Country Grammer, who will be ridden by his Dubai World Cup-winning jockey Frankie Dettori in the world’s richest race.
Four-year-old Taiba landed his third G1 win in last month’s Malibu Stakes, scoring impressively at Santa Anita last month as he dropped back in trip to 1400m (7f) under regular rider Mike Smith.
“The Malibu was an important race for him as it turned into a bit of a sprint,” said Saudi businessman Zedan. “It was a good call by Bob to put him in the right condition to instigate that kind of speed and it was a good step.
“He’s the kind of horse that works as good as his workmate,” Zedan added. “He has his own mind but he gives me a heart attack in every race, especially down the backstretch.
“If you watch the Pennsylvania Derby, he was dropping back and then picked up. Mike Smith knows him well and they are a great combination. He makes Mike work – he was more exhausted than Taiba that day!”
Asked when the Saudi Cup came on the radar for the son of Gun Runner, Zedan said: “We really hoped we had something after he won the Santa Anita Derby in April and we always thought he would be the perfect fit for the race going from his three-year-old to his four-year-old year.
“The Saudi Cup was front and center – we had to see how the rest of the year played out but with me being from Saudi it was always a priority. I serve on the board of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia with Prince Bandar bin Khalid Alfaisal [Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia chairman] and I’m super-pumped and super-excited to be a part of the Saudi Cup’s continued success.”
Country Grammer was beaten only a half-length by Emblem Road in the 2022 Saudi Cup before tasting success in the Dubai World Cup a month later.
“It was a good effort and it was a prelude to Dubai,” said Zedan. “We thought the extra distance at Meydan would suit Country Grammer, but Life Is Good was a significant concern. Country Grammer enjoyed the distance and Life Is Good probably prefers the Saudi Cup distance.
“He keeps grinding, our horse,” Zedan went on. “He’s got speed and the workmanship to get over the wire.
“It was my first appearance at the Saudi Cup and Country Grammer was an unknown commodity. He showed great tenacity to finish second and we were very proud of him. I was delighted for Prince Saud bin Salman [owner of Embem Road].”
Frankie Dettori continues his farewell tour in Saudi Arabia next month and Zedan confirmed he will maintain his partnership with the son of Tonalist, who he won the G2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on the same day as Taiba’s Malibu victory.
“Frankie needs no testimony from me,” said Zedan. “He’s been great for the sport in every way; on the horse, off the horse or flying off the horse. His accomplishments speak for themselves. He’s a good friend and he will be missed. I hope he reconsiders his retirement by picking up mounts as he chooses over the coming months.”
With two such strong chances for the world’s most valuable race, who would Zedan side with?
“You don’t prefer a kid over another,” said Zedan. “We’ve had brilliant moments with both and they’re both my boys. Everyone needs to be given their best shot and as long as one of them crosses the wire first, I’ll be a happy camper.”
Zedan Racing Stables also have a possible runner in the $1.5m Saudi Derby with Baffert-trained three-year-old Hejazi, who won at Santa Anita on Sunday [Jan 15]. “He’s a great horse and just needed some time to grow into his frame,” said the owner.
“He was beaten by some very fast sprinters last year and produced a 101 Beyer time figure in his two-year-old season which is almost unheard of. He’s been a bit unlucky, he’s produced some great numbers.”
• Full list of Saudi Cup entries
Seven Days in Racing: Saudi Cup hero Emblem Road wins on local comeback
Frankie Dettori among first four names confirmed for Saudi Cup jockeys’ challenge
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