Two esteemed American racehorses will face off against a formidable international field in the upcoming Saudi Cup (G1), where the fittingly named Saudi Crown will vie for glory.
White Abarrio and National Treasure, two premier American contenders, are set to showcase their talents on Saturday, February 24, at the prestigious $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) hosted at the King Abdulaziz racecourse in Saudi Arabia. White Abarrio returns to the track after a commanding victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita last November, while National Treasure recently triumphed in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park.
Faisal Al Qahtani, the owner of FMQ Stables, will be looking to replicate last year's success at the Saudi Cup night, where Commissioner King clinched victory in the Group 3 Boutique Group Saudi Derby. This year, Al Qahtani has high hopes pinned on Saudi Crown, a striking grey offspring of Kentucky Derby champion Always Dreaming. Saudi Crown, who secured a comfortable win in the G3 Louisiana Stakes, is poised to make a statement in the world's most lucrative race following a disappointing performance in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Al Qahtani expressed confidence in Saudi Crown's resurgence, affirming,
"We will witness a transformed horse from the one we saw at the Breeders’ Cup".
Al Qahtani underlined Saudi Crown's progress, stating,
"His preparation has been exceptional, and Brad Cox is pleased with his condition. We are eagerly awaiting his performance after settling in and commencing trackwork".
The seasoned jockey, Florent Geroux, will be in the saddle for the $20 million showdown, with Al Qahtani emphasising Geroux's longstanding partnership with Saudi Crown.
Acknowledging the formidable competition in this year's Saudi Cup, Al Qahtani acknowledged,
"The calibre of this year's race is unparalleled in the history of The Saudi Cup, and we are prepared for the challenge."
Contemplating the race dynamics, Al Qahtani envisioned Saudi Crown and National Treasure taking the lead due to their inherent speed, although he acknowledged that the final strategy is yet to be discussed with the training team.
Beyond the grandeur of the event and the substantial prize purse, Al Qahtani's primary focus lies on the personal significance of the race. He revealed,
"I named Saudi Crown after the Crown Prince, and winning would be a momentous occasion for me to meet him and express my gratitude".
On the eve of the Saudi Cup, as the International Jockeys Challenge unfolds, FMQ Stables will also be represented in The Tuwaiq Cup, a race for locally trained horses mirroring the Saudi Cup's course and distance. Commissioner King, the standout from last year's Saudi Cup night, seeks redemption following a lacklustre performance in December, attributed to a gate incident. Al Qahtani is optimistic about Commissioner King's resurgence, affirming,
"He is back in top form and primed to deliver an impressive performance".