Saudi Arabia: Pyledriver is set to tackle the $1.5m Neom Turf Cup rather than the main event on the Saudi Cup card at the beginning of an international campaign for the Coronation Cup winner in 2022.
Ahead of a year in which the five-year-old could also tackle the Dubai Sheema Classic, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Juddmonte International and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, joint-trainer William Muir has ruled out a crack at the world’s richest race, the $20m Saudi Cup on dirt.
Muir revealed the decision during a media conference for the Feb 26 racecard in Riyadh after Pyledriver, who finished second in the Hong Kong Vase on his last start, had been put through his paces by jockey Martin Dwyer at Kempton on Tuesday.
“We were invited to both races,” said Muir, who trains Pyledriver in partnership with Chris Grassick.
“We are aiming to go from the Saudi Cup meeting to the Sheema Classic and we thought dropping him to 1m1f on dirt and then back to 1m4f would be giving him different signals. We know 1m2f and 1m4f on the grass is fine for him so we are doing that.
“He will come back from Dubai, have a little break, and then it will be whether we can get him ready for the King George or the Juddmonte and then make a big plan for the Arc.”
Muir added: “Pyledriver looks a monster now and there was no question that he was going to improve with time. I think this horse has everything in front of him and is now at his peak.”
A G3 prize over 2100m (1m2½f), the Neom Turf Cup is set to attract Dubai Turf winner Lord North, running for the first time since his Meydan victory. Lord North will head to Riyadh with John & Thady Gosden-trained stablemate Mishriff, set to defend his Saudi Cup crown in Riyadh.
“Mishriff has done a bit of growing but has been training well up to the race so far and let’s hope we get a smooth run into it,” said Thady Gosden. “Lord North had a bit of an issue and has been given all the time he needs, He is training well and hopefully will go straight to the Neom.”
Completing a powerful European challenge, Francis Graffard could have his first international runner for the Aga Khan since replacing Alain de Royer Dupre at the owner-breeder’s private stable if the mare Ebaiyra tackles the Neom Turf Cup.
Graffard has also taken over the training of Champion Stakes winner Sealiway from the suspended Cedric Rossi and the colt will have his first start for the stable in the Saudi Cup. “We took over Aiglemont on January 1 and everything is going well,” said Graffard, also still operating his own stable in Chantilly.
“Sealiway can adapt very easily, so as I am building him for the race my worry is will he be ready, because it’s so easy for him.
“We don’t know about the surface until we try. The distance won’t be a problem because he has early pace, but racing abroad is always a challenge.
“He came to me in very good shape. I am very happy with the way he looks now and the way he works, so I am keen to go.”
• Visit the Saudi Cup website
German Derby hero Sisfahan injured and misses Saudi Cup card
Saudi Cup: Christophe Soumillon booked for Japanese star Marche Lorraine
Ten European-trained horses who won the hearts of American racefans
Jamie Kah to ride world’s top sprinter Nature Strip as J-Mac moves aside in Lightning Stakes