Rattle N Roll is set to be the only US-trained runner in the Saudi Cup after a string of US defections from the world’s richest race on February 22 in Riyadh.
On Friday night [Feb 7], the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia on Friday released a list of likely fields for the Saudi Cup meeting at King Abdulaziz racetrack.
Saudi Cup 2025 – likely fields
However, events have already overtaken that list, with three high-profile US names in White Abarrio, Locked and Soul Of An Angel joining Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone on the absentee list,
As a result, the Kenny McPeek-trained Rattle N Roll is left as the only American representative taking on the world’s #1 racehorse Romantic Warrior and Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River in the $20 million highlight. The six-year-old earned a guaranteed spot in the Riyadh starting gate when landing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup over course and distance over course and distance on Jan 25.
Of his compatriots, Sierra Leone was last week ruled out of both the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup with an abscess, while Pegasus World Cup winner White Abarrio is also bypassing the Middle East to pursue a domestic campaign.
Pegasus runner-up Locked was expected to represent Todd Pletcher, but his owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners will instead target the Santa Anita Handicap on March 1. The decision to focus on a domestic campaign was revealed on the social media platform X.
Speaking to the Blood Horse, Eclipse founder Aron Wellman said they would now concentrate on “doing our best to map out a domestic campaign capable of posturing him for maximum success in the most prestigious, stallion value-enhancing events.”
Also no longer under consideration is US champion female sprinter Soul Of An Angel, winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. She will run next in the Madison Stakes at Keeneland on April 5.
“She’s not going for sure. That’s official. She’s going to go to the Madison,” said trainer Saffie Joseph. “We’re going to give her a little freshening now that we’re not going to Saudi and probably in a month or so we’ll start back breezing her.”
On the other hand, if US representation is thin on the ground, Japan is responsible for 19 possible runners on a card where the nation has enjoyed conspicuous success in the past – including Saudi Cup victory with Panthalassa in 2023.
Forever Young, third in both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic, heads four intended runners in the main event alongside last year’s runner-up Ushba Tesoro, Japan Dirt Derby winner Ramjet and Champions Cup second Wilson Tesoro.
Other notable Saudi Cup contenders are headed by all-the-way Maktoum Challenge winner Walk Of Stars and French-trained Facteur Cheval.
HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said: “We are delighted with the depth and quality of this year’s Saudi Cup field and are hugely looking forward to a brilliant two days of racing at King Abdulaziz Racecourse as we welcome the best horses around and their connections to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“With the Red Sea Turf Handicap and Riyadh Dirt Sprint both being promoted to international Group 2 status this year we continue to develop and improve the Saudi Cup meeting with the intention of hosting the highest standard of horse and showcasing the best of horse racing to the world.”
Saudi Cup undercard nominations – from JCSA press release
Several former winners at the Saudi Cup meeting are returning, including the Sir Alex Ferguson co-owned and Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer, winner of last year’s $2m Neom Turf Cup.
Along with Richard Hannon-trained Persica, the son of Frankel is one of two UK nominations for the G2 event, where they will be joined by G1 winner Al Riffa and Trustyourinstinct for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Japan Cup runner-up Shin Emperor is set to be joined by fellow Japanese-trained challenger Killer Ability.
The $2m Riyadh Dirt Sprint, run as a G2 for the first time this year, is headlined by Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser. Remake defends his title for Japan, who also field G3 winner Gabby’s Sister.
Annaf will bid for consecutive successes in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint for UK trainer Mick Appleby, having been produced perfectly to win last year by rider Rossa Ryan, who will once again be in the saddle.
G1 victor Howard Wolowitz is aiming to give the USA a first win in the race while Victoria Cup winner Ten Happy Rose headlines the Japanese nominations.
Last year’s edition of G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap was won by world #1 trainer Aidan O’Brien, who this year sends 2023 St Leger winner Continuous for the $2.5m contest.
A strong UK representation includes Derby fourth Deira Mile and Royal Ascot winner Gregory plus Al Nayyir.
Unbeaten Japanese filly Myriad Love headlines nominations for the $1.5m Saudi Derby, won last year by Forever Young.
His trainer Yoshito Yahagi is set to field Mistress this year, with Happy Man and Shin Forever other likely Japanese contenders.
Argentine G1 winner Guistino holds an entry for UAE-based trainer Julio Olascoaga, with UAE 2,000 Guineas winner Golden Vekoma another interesting contender. The Chad Summers-trained Cyclone State is set to run for the US, with Ireland and the UK also holding nominations.
The $500,000 Saudi International Handicap has attracted nominations from Italy, Spain, Czech Republic, Qatar and Bahrain, joining the local KSA nominations.
• Visit the Saudi Cup website
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