2024 G1 Saudi Cup finish – CHC bred Saudi Crown (grey) narrowly beaten
Saudi Crown confirmed his status as one of the world’s premier racehorses when leading until the shadows of the post in the world’s richest race, the USD20,000,000 G1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) over the weekend. In the process, the China Horse Club USA graduate became the Club’s highest earning graduate having now banked almost USD3 million from only eight career starts.
The grey’s typically gritty performance followed the fifth group win by the gifted mare Revolutionary Miss who was a class above her rivals earlier in the day in the AUD200,000 G3 Mannerism Stakes in Melbourne, Australia.
Pre-race owner Al Qahtani was emphatic in explanation to Paulick Report on what would be seen of Saudi Crown.
“We will see a different horse from the one that we saw in the Breeders’ Cup,” he said.
“[Saudi Crown] has grown up a lot since that run and we feel he’s much better. His prep race was very pleasing, and he can step forward from that. The 2000m (1 1/4 miles) trip was right at the limit of what he could achieve at that time (at the Breeders’ Cup), and I think the step back to 1800m (1 1/8 miles) is ideal. He can be a champion at this distance.
“The preparation for Saudi Crown has been great and I know Brad Cox is very happy with the horse, so we are all waiting and excited to see him after he’s settled in and begins trackwork.”
Saudi Crown was exceptional in the international feature setting a race record pace, shaking off G1 Pegasus World Cup winner National Treasure and leading until the shadows of the post when claimed by the late finishing American runner Senor Buscador and Japanese raider Ushba Tesoro.
Saudi Crown has been expertly handled to date by trainer Brad Cox and looks poised for an exceptional preparation in 2024.
Revolutionary Miss, a graduate from China Horse Club’s Australian breeding programme, will now bid to exorcize a G1 hoodoo which has seen her touched out in photos in both the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and G1 Thousand Guineas.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trainee will return to Sydney for a tilt at the AUD600,000 G1 Coolmore Classic next month.