It’s the $20m Saudi Cup on Saturday 24 February, and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio who tops the likely field for the event at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Unveiled by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Cup looks a re-match of the Breeders’ Cup Classic with White Abarrio again challenged by Classic second Derma Sotogake of Japan.
In winning the 2023 UAE Derby Derma Sotogake, as with White Abarrio has not started this season, in addition to Classic fifth Ushba Tesoro who won the Dubai World Cup in 2023.
Also from the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Senor Buscador who was a neck second to National Treasure in the Pegasus World Cup, while Saudi Crown won the Louisiana Stakes in January.
In breaking-news its Saudi’s Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who has purchased a sizable interest in White Abarrio and will race in his red and white silks in the Saudi Cup.
So what’s White Abarrio wealth now, with Clint and Mark Cornett of C2 Racing maintain a 50% plus interest, Prince Fasil now an undisclosed interest and La Milagrosa Stable with a share.
In a true rags-to-riches story, White Abarrio sold as a yearling for $7,000 at the 2020 OBS Winter Mix Sale, and in 2021 was a $40,000 buy for Carlos Perez at the OBS 2YO Breeders March Sale.
Racing under Perez’s Cap Embroidery Stable, White Abarrio won his first start at Gulfstream Park by 6¾ lengths over 6½ furlongs, before being sold to C2 Racing and moved to Saffie Joseph Jr.
With the original owners keeping a share as La Milagrosa Stable, White Abarrio won the Florida Derby and Holy Bull Stakes, with Antonio Pagnano a new share owner prior to the Cigar Mile.
However, with Saffie Joseph suspended when two of his horses broke-down at Churchill Downs, White Abarrio was transferred to Richard Dutrow Jr who came-off a 10 year disqualification.
In having Big Brown win the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Richard Dutrow had White Abarrio for a first-up third in the Metropolitan Mile, and next taking out the Whitney Stakes.
With Irad Ortiz Jr. being the sixth jockey to ride White Abarrio, and giving him the run-of-the-race in the Longines Breeder’s Cup Classic, White Abarrio has won 7 of 15 starts and $4.9m in stakes.
Bred by Spendthrift Farm, he’s a grey or roan 5yo by dual Gr2 winner Race Day who now stands Korea, from the unplaced Into Mischief mare Catching Diamonds, a half-sister to Cool Cowboy.
That man Bob Baffert returns to Riyadh looking to avenge last year’s second with Country Grammar, now with his Preakness hero National Treasure who last start won the Pegasus World Cup.
Also from the US is Cigar Mile winner Hoist The Gold, while Japan’s Lemon Pop qualifying by winning the Champions Cup, plus UAE Derby winner Crown Pride and Teio Sho winner Meisho Hario.
Top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Luxembourg on dirt for the first time and will be joined by locals Power In Numbers, Defunded and Carmel Road, all from the USA.
In this the fifth $20m Saudi Cup. run over 1800m on dirt with a field of 14 runner at Group 1 status, it’s a master class of Thoroughbred and Arabian racing over two days with $35m in stakes.