Scotland Yard claims Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cups to qualify for Saudi Cup
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, organized by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, concluded at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Janadriyah late on Saturday, with Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the governor of Riyadh, crowning the winners.
Saturday’s festivities consisted of 11 rounds, including four main races starting with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for apprentice jockeys, with prize money of $32,000, and the Al-Dariyah Cup with a prize of $40,000 With the amount, and qualified for the winner. Obeya Cup, one of the races of the Saudi Cup 2023.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup is held over two rounds, over a distance of 2,000 metres, previously classified as a local Grade One race with a prize of $400,000, and dedicated to local horse production . The second round is the Saudi Cup 2023 qualifiers at the international level.
Scotland Yard Saudi Cup extended to 2023
Two weeks after winning the King Faisal Cup at the King’s Cup Festival, Scotland Yard, a son of Quality Road, won the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup in an open round, securing a qualification card for its owner, Prince Saud bin Salman. Saudi Cup 2023 which will take place at the end of February.
Scotland Yard, trained by Ahmed Abdelwahed and ridden by Victor Gutierrez, stormed to a 10-length victory in a record time of 2 minutes 4 seconds, with Eligibility rider Camilo Ospina in second place, and La Casa Tarifa ridden by Abdullah Alrashed.
Prince Saud became the first Saudi to enter two local horses in a Saudi Cup race, also running Emblem Road.
Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for local production
Mostowli, the son of First Defence, owned by Haif Mohammed Alkhatani Sons, won the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for 2023 with local production jockey Mohammed Aldaham, while Bint Farah finished second and Horse Aljamani third.
Mostoli’s victory gave the stable its biggest win in 25 years.
“Nose distance” sends Hamdani Khaled Al-Khalediya to the Obeya Cup
Hamdani Khaled Al-Khalediya, son of Arabian horse champion Laith Al-Khalediya, won the Al-Dariyah Cup on Saturday, joining the Obeya Cup entry list led by rider Fahad Alfouridi.
Hamdani beat Dergham by a nose, with Thayer Hamilton in third.
Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for Apprentice Jockeys
Rider Mohammed Alshurima won the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for the apprentice jockey Najabat Al-Ezz, a daughter of Sleeping Indian, owned by Mahal Albugami.
The five-year-old, who won the Prince Badr Cup in the King’s Cup last year, finished second ahead of Wajab and third-placed Kohlan Alkhil.
Meanwhile, the second renewal of Gulf Day concluded at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Janadriya on Friday night.
There were also five qualifying rounds for the 2023 Saudi Cup with prize money of $44,000, as well as four rounds dedicated to horses from the Gulf countries, with prize money of $200,000.
Gulf Cup Arabian Horse Round
Dananir Al-Khalediyya, daughter of Laith Al-Khalediyya, owned by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Sons, claimed the prize of the Gulf Cup Arabian Horse Round with rider Adel Alfauridi.
RB Rich finished second with Like Me jockey Alberto Sanna, and Mutwakel Alkhalediya third.
Three-year-old Mister Victor scored his first win for a Gulf bred horse in the second round of the Gulf Cup after winning the 2,000 meters with jockey Mohammed Oldham in 2 minutes, 8.4 seconds.
Yazdad Hebah’s mare, ridden by Adel Alfauridi, finished second while Jamma Almohamdia with jockey Camilo Ospina finished third.
The seven-year-old Sunset Flash, owned by Fihan bin Faisal Almindil Sons, won the third round of the Gulf Cup with rider Alexis Moreno beating the champion mare Lagertha Rhyme, who finished second with rider Ricardo Ferreira. Evelina, ridden by Adel Alfauraidi, finished third.
Toledo, owned by Prince Sultan bin Mishal, won Friday night’s final race, the Gulf Cup, with veteran Luis Morales.
Five horses have made it to the Saudi Cup
Raid, owned by Fahad Dhidan Alotabi and ridden by Ricardo Ferreira, won Turf Sprint Qualifier 1351, while I Am Magic finished second, and Cold Front third.
Castle, owned by Frankel’s son and Prince Saud bin Salman, won the 2,100m Neom Turf Cup qualifying race with rider Alexis Moreno. Luigi Vempa finished second with rider Abdullah Alafi and Palavesino finished third with rider Luis Morales.
Asfaan Al-Khalediyya, an Arabian horse owned by Al-Khalediyya Stable, won the Al-Maneefa Qualifier (Turf) with rider Abdullah Alafi to secure a Saudi Cup qualifying spot.
Ata’Allah Al-Khalediyya finished second and Jamran Al-Khalediyya third. All three horses are the sons of Laith al-Khalidiya.
Sir Prancelot’s son Pagan and promising rider Aseel Alsarhani claimed the Riyadh Pace Cup, with Rock Sound second and local horse Saodad third.
The mare Mai Map, son of Liam Map and owned by Prince Sultan bin Mishaal, won the 1,600 meter Saudi Derby qualifier race with rider Adel Alfouridi, with Almulheim and Atta Alghali coming second and third respectively.
In Friday’s other race, Aramah, the first winner of the day, gave a Lexus car to its owner, Abdullah Saud Al-Farag, as it claimed the first round and the Saad bin Mishref prize. Mare Mob’hem finished second, while Latin finished third.
Meanwhile, Almawi, son of Totally Hour for Haifa Mohammed Alkhatani Sons, became the first Mishrif bin Motlak bin Shanan Cup winner with a stunning performance in the 1,600m race under jockey Jose Rodriguez.
Alkharsani finished third with rider Mohamed Al-Dahm as Saad bin Mishref handed the cup to Fahad bin Haif.