Saudi Arabia: Christophe Soumillon is set to partner Marche Lorraine when Japan’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner tackles the $20 million Saudi Cup.
The Belgian, the ten-time champion jockey of France, will replace Oisin Murphy, who steered the Yoshito Yahagi-trained mare to a shock 49-1 victory at Del Mar in November.
Marche Lorraine produced one of the biggest upsets in Breeders’ Cup history when completing a historic double for Japan following the success of compatriot Loves Only You in the Filly & Mare Turf on the same card.
However, Murphy is unavailable having surrendered his licence in December to seek medical treatment after it emerged he faced disciplinary action for twice failing breathalyser tests and breaching of COVID-19 protocols.
News of Soumillon’s booking was announced by owners Carrot Farm, who confirmed the world’s richest race would be the six-year-old’s final start, while her trainer Yahagi said he had the race in mind as soon as she won at the Breeders' Cup.
“It was immediately after the Breeders’ Cup Distaff,” he explained. “There was a possibility that Marche Lorraine would retire after the Breeders’ Cup but I thought the Saudi Cup should be her next race if she ran one more time.
“She needed to have a period to relieve fatigue and spent an easy time at the Shigaraki branch of Northern Farm. She returned to my barn at Ritto Training Centre on January 27.”
T O Keynes and Chuwa Wizard, one-two in the Champions Cup (former Japan Cup Dirt), could also represent Japan in the world’s richest race at King Abdulaziz racecourse in Riyadh on February 26, where defending champ Mishriff is ante-post favourite with British bookmakers for a repeat success.
Chuwa Wizard, who was runner-up in last year's Dubai World Cup, landed the G1 Kawasaki Kinen on Wednesday [Feb 2]. A return to Meydan is also on the cards for the seven-year-old.
Saudi Cup betting (Ladbrokes): 11-4 Mishriff, 3 Life Is Good, 5 Mandaloun, 11-2 T O Keynes, 8 Midnight Bourbon, Real World, 12 Marche Lorraine, 16 bar.
• Visit the Saudi Cup website
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