        |
|
 |
Del Mar Debutante Pacific Classic Day Pat O'Brien Stakes King's Plate results Del Mar Oaks |
|
|
 Maryline Eon is presented the trophy after winning the Invest Saudi International Jockeys Challenge |
On the evening before the fifth running of the $20 million Saudi Cup, was the third edition of the $1.6 million Invest Saudi International Jockeys Challenge. 14 riders from around the world (7 males and 7 females) were invited to compete, and were randomly assigned mounts in 4 races on the card, all run under handicap weights with $400,000 purses for older horses except the second leg which was restricted to 3-year-olds. Points were awarded based on the jockey's placing in each race, using a 15-10-7-4-2 system, with the leader after the 4 races declared the winner of the trophy and $100,000. Conditions were ideal during the races, with clear skies, temperatures in the mid 70's, the main track fast and the turf course good-to-firm.
 Jockey Maryline Eon won the second race of the competition aboard Mo Aela. |
 Luis Saez won the fourth leg of the challenge aboard Mostawly. |
In the third leg, U.S. representative Luis Saez rode Pagan to victory in a 1200 meter (6 furlong) dirt sprint by a length over Brazil's Victoria Mota aboard Monaasib with Australian Damien Oliver third aboard Aasser. Saez said, "I'm truly grateful to be back. I love riding around here, I love the place and I love the people. "It was super exciting, last year was a great day and today I wanted to enjoy it. I got a winner and was back in the game." He tied for third in the contest with 15 points but loses the "tiebreaker" with Camilo Ospina who finished ahead of him in all but the third race. Saez rides Defunded in the Saudi Cup.
 Maryline Eon, Camilo Ospina, and Victoria Mota pose with their trophies. |
The jockeys who participated in the challenge along with their final points score: Maryline Eon (25), Camilo Ospina (17), Victoria Mota (17), Luis Saez (15), Rachel Venniker (15), Ryusi Sakai (12), Saffie Osborne (11), Damien Oliver (11), Adel Alfouraidi (G1), Alysia Collet (10), Ryan Moore (9), Lisa Alpress (0), Katie Davis (0), Maxime Guyon (0).
 Adel Alfouradii wins the Lucid Tuwaiq Cup aboard Badr |
Winning trainer Adbah Alathaab said, "He has improved a lot through the season. I think he will continue to improve again. I think he could be a Saudi Cup horse this time next year." Winning jockey Adel Alfouraidi said, "The trainer has done a great job with this horse. He was very good last time winning the Gulf Cup and he was even better today. He has the potential to reach the very top."
 Ronan Thomas wins the Ministry of Culture Al Mneefah Cup aboard Tilal Al Khalediah |
Left: Tilal Al Khalediah in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Naser Mutlaq said, "I made sure that he only ran in the big races and took care of him. He always wins in the dirt races but the turf was a good test and he shows great improvement. It's very important for the race to be a Group 1. I have got heroes in my stable and I want to turn them into champions."
Right: The trophy presentation. Tilal Al Khalediah is the first horse to win in consecutive Saudi Cup meetings, after winning last year's Obaiyah Arabian Classic (G1) on the dirt, successfully switching to turf here.
 Istita'aeh winning the Mosef First Fillies Mile |
 Aezm Alriyadh winning of the Saudia Sarawat Cup |
Saudi Cup Links:
Back to Horse-Races.Net main page
| Search Horse-Races.Net: |
