2025 Saudi Cup Entries and Odds

$20M Saudi Cup runs Saturday, February 22

The Saudi Cup race - a one-turn dirt oval event held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia - is worth US $20M and will again attract the finest thoroughbreds and top jockeys from around the globe.

Romantic Warrior - World's Highest-Earning Horse - Draws Gate #3

The gate draw was today, Wednesday, February 19, and Hong Kong's champion Romantic Warrior (IRE) will break from gate 3.

The world's highest-earning horse has attracted a huge amount of global racing interest since his arrival in Saudi Arabia and was even the centre of attention when given a quick preparatory look of the King Abdulaziz Racecourse parade ring on Wednesday afternoon.

Following the draw ceremony in the Cultural Village later on Wednesday, trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald discovered their position on the track as Romantic Warrior aims to convert his incredible turf performances across international jurisdictions to the Riyadh dirt.

"We're happy with it," McDonald said after his wife Katelyn selected the number on the stage.

"We didn't come here with any expectation of a particular draw. He seems to be going really well on the dirt, all the team are very happy with him and my horse has really good gate speed."

Classy Japanese challenger Forever Young (JPN), back in Saudi Arabia 12 months after his success in the US $1.5m Saudi Derby, this year presented by ZOOD Realty, has continued to make progress but was not so obviously lucky when drawn in gate 14.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi did not appear too downbeat, and said: "I haven't worried about the draw too much but I'd prefer an outside gate to inside."

Rattle N Roll (USA), trained by Kenny McPeek and representing owners Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri and Lucky Seven Stable, was a tidy winner of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup late last month, is in gate 7.

"We like the seven, that's great," McPeek said. "He's got come-from-behind pace, we're excited to have the horse here and we feel like we've a bit of an advantage because he won here already.

"This year the timing worked out really well, he came back bigger, stronger and better and this will be a race that I think will be ideal for him."

In-form Walk Of Stars (GB) was allotted gate 6 while French ace Facteur Cheval (IRE), who were first and third respectively in the Al Maktoum Challenge in Dubai on their latest starts, is in 12.

Of Walk Of Stars, trainer Bhupat Seemar appeared satisfied, and said: "He's improved every run and I think there's still more to come. I just hope he can take in the environment, he needs to get used to the place but he's doing very well."

Noboru Takagi had inside draws for his pair. Ushba Tesoro (JPN) is in gate 1, and the trainer said: "I think he'll handle it well, he's the type of horse that comes from behind."

Of Wilson Tesoro (JPN) (4), Takagi added: "His condition has been improving so I'm looking forward to his run. I think it's a good draw for him."

The other Japanese runner Ramjet (JPN) has 9. Trainer Shozo Sasaki said: "I'm happy about the draw. He travelled well and we look forward to the race ."

Of the remaining runners in the field: Al Musmak (IRE) (10), Defunded (USA) (11), El Kodigo (ARG) (13), Intense For Me (ARG) (2), Wait To Excel (GB) (8) and Wootton'sun (FR) (5).

El Kodigo and Intense For Me Arrive from South America

Feb 19 - Two fascinating Argentinian arrivals and a more experienced customer combine for a formidable challenge for owner Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb and trainer Abdulaziz Mishref in Saturday's US$20m Saudi Cup.

El Kodigo (ARG) is an authentic South American champion who extended his Group 1 haul in the Gran Premio Jose Pedro Ramirez in Uruguay early last month.

He is joined by his narrow conqueror in December's Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional, Intense For Me (ARG).

Khalid Mishref, the owner's representative, explained that while these are early days for the pair, the signs have been encouraging.

"El Kodigo is looking very good and it looks like he travelled well. The next few days we'll know where he'll go, but the way I've seen him cantering, it looks good so far. We'll see how it goes.

"I've noticed there are a lot of supporters from South America for him. I was highly surprised to see him on Instagram, on TikTok and Twitter. I'd like to send them a message that the horse will do well in The Saudi Cup. The previous trainer did a marvellous job and hopefully that will continue with our team."

Mishref continued: "Both are mentally prepped for 2400m, we are asking them to do 1800m, but both of them have run over the distance last year and won. Intense For Me arrived at the end of January, he's had his second breeze, which was good.

"El Kodigo is different, he just arrived a couple of days ago. South American horses can do very well the first month and then they might need to adapt, but things are going well with both horses."

Defunded (USA) is a hardened 7-year-old who was a Grade 1 winner in the United States but was seventh for his Saudi Arabian connections in last year's renewal as well as in the Dubai World Cup, when drawn in gate 9 on both occasions.

He won the second of two starts at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse this season, in the UK Cup.

Mishref added: "He hadn't raced for a long time, we weren't expecting him to win first time, but in the second race we thought he had improved, and hopefully he has improved again since then.

"Defunded came last year with a short amount of time and hopefully we will have luck with the draw.

"I have confidence he'll perform very well, how far he can compete against those super horses, I don't know, but I'm confident he's back."

He concluded: "You can't imagine how happy I am that we have three runners in the big race. We're proud to be competing against the superstars of the whole world."

Top US horses ruled out of the Saudi Cup in Riyadh

Feb 19 - The winners of the past two Breeders' Cup Classics have been ruled out of the Group 1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on February 22.

White Abarrio (2023) and Sierra Leone (2024) were both nominated for the race, but their respective connections have confirmed they will not take up the engagement.

The news sparked a significant shake-up in the latest Saudi Cup betting, with Japanese horse Forever Young now topping the ante-post market.

White Abarrio recently won the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park and was expected to head to the Middle East for his next run.

The six-year-old is co-owned by Saudi Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and he was eager to see the horse run in Saudi Arabia.

However, co-owner Mark Cornett believes it will be in the horse's best interests to focus on a US campaign, with the Ghostzapper Stakes at Gulfstream on March 29 likely to be his next target.

"We are going to bypass Saudi," Cornett said. "We will stay here and campaign him here. All the stars just weren't lining up with the timing and shipping and all that stuff.

"We're going to try to do what's best by the horse and stay here and have a nice campaign to end his career here."

"All along it was probably 50-50. We had to factor in that Prince Faisal also owns a piece of the horse and that he is from Saudi Arabia.

"At the end of the day, we decided we had to do what's best for the horse and campaign him over here and have his last few races in the US."

Cornett has also withdrawn 2024 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Soul of an Angel from the race in favour of campaigning her on home soil.

Trainer Chad Brown dealt a further blow to organisers of the Saudi Cup when he confirmed that Sierra Leone would miss the prestigious race.

The four-year-old is recovering from an abscess on his coronet band, which scuppered Brown's hopes of stepping up his preparations ahead of the proposed trip to the Middle East.

"I couldn't really work him, so I just kind of played it safe and skipped it, which takes him out of the Saudi race," Brown said.

"It's not a big deal and I'm glad the abscess did come out in a clean fashion. It'll grow down and his foot will be fine. He just wasn't 100 percent to breeze, so I didn't want to push it.

"You could tell it was bothering him and something was going to come out of there and it did. It's resolved, but the timing wasn't good.

"He won't miss a whole lot of time, but I was on a very tight schedule given we gave him a month off after the Breeders' Cup. He was supposed to fly out in a week and it just wasn't going to work."

Sierra Leone upset several more fancied horses when winning the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic and Brown has set his sights on the big race again this year.

The horse is likely to make his seasonal reappearance in the Oaklawn Handicap on April 19, which gives him plenty of time to fully recover from his recent setback.

Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser Enters Saudi Cup

Feb 13 - California-based Dan Blacker is aiming to make his first international runner a winning one when Breeders' Cup hero and Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Straight No Chaser lines up in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (Group 2) on the undercard of the Saudi Cup on Feb. 22.

The 6-year-old son of Speightster was a cozy winner of the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar in November under Johnny Velazquez, a victory that British-born Blacker describes as "very special."

"It was an emotional day," said the 42-year-old. "I've always dreamed of having runners in Breeders' Cup races and to win one was very special. I feel very thankful to be able to train such a talented horse. It was thrilling to win such a big race.

"There was a lot of talk about how the horse had to have the lead, but I never felt that at all. He's just a very fast horse, he's fast out of the gate, but he's a sensible and professional racehorse. I felt that if the time came where he could sit back off the pace, then that would be a possibility for him.

"Johnny felt that was the tactic he'd like to use, and the horse responded really well. Johnny is a great jockey and timing is part of what makes him so great. He got the horse to switch off and relax behind the pace and then come with a run."

Following Straight No Chasers' win at Del Mar and a subsequent break, Blacker has been pleased with his stable star's condition.

"He's done excellently, he really hasn't missed a beat," said the trainer. "He's a superior work horse in the mornings and his work has been exceptional.

"He's in very good form and runs very well fresh, so I'm not worried about the time between races. As long as he ships well and trains well once we arrive in Riyadh, I expect him to run a big race."

Blacker is optimistic that Straight No Chaser can take the long trip to Riyadh in his stride and adapt to the conditions on the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

"He's done two trips to the East Coast on flights and he's been no trouble," Blacker said. "Obviously this will be the longest trip that he's done but he's always been a very sensible traveler. He's a high energy horse on the track but he's a pro and he understands when it's game time and when it's time to be relaxed.

"He'll probably have one steady gallop early next week. My assistant, Juan Landeros, who gets on him every day is going over and will take care of the horse and hopefully everything will go to plan. I'm going to try to be there for his gallop, so I will be there all next week."

Blacker himself is no stranger to different racing jurisdictions, having grown up in the UK and graduated from the Godolphin Flying Start program which saw him placed with trainers Jeremy Noseda in the UK, David Hayes in Australia, Godolphin in Dubai and Richard Mandella in California.

Blacker took out his own training licence in 2011, celebrating his first Grade 1 winner in 2021 when Hit The Road won the Frank E Kilroe Mile Stakes at Santa Anita, and second this November with Straight No Chaser's success at the Breeders' Cup.

Of the challenge ahead, Blacker said: "I think it's a credit to the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia that they've managed to get such an international field. None of these races are easy, and there are a lot of horses that we respect in there.

"I know Jimmy Jerkens has got a horse in there [Ancestral Land] that has done really well locally.

"Obviously, we got the better of Remake at Del Mar, but that was our home track, and now we're going to the other side of the world to race on a track we're not familiar with and he's already proven himself over.

"It seems like a competitive field and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Turf Star Romantic Warrior To Take On Saudi Cup Dirt

Feb 11 - Romantic Warrior (IRE) is likely to get one lifetime shot on dirt, his trainer Danny Shum has revealed with the world's highest-earning racehorse set to return to turf after contesting the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh on Saturday week.

The three-time Hong Kong Cup winner jetted into Saudi Arabia from Dubai on Monday morning ahead of a first outing away from grass, after blitzing the field to break the track record in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan Racecourse last month.

Shum and owner Peter Lau resisted the temptation to test the winner of over $18 million in prize money on dirt in Dubai last month, and will instead roll the dice at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in the 1 1/8-mile Group 1 - when the world's richest horse contests the world's richest race.

"Wherever we finish in the Saudi Cup it is 99 per cent certain he will run next in the Dubai Turf," Shum explained after seeing Romantic Warrior settle into the international quarantine facilities. "The Dubai Racing Club have already accepted my entry for the Dubai Turf but not the Dubai World Cup yet, as we want to see how Romantic Warrior finishes the race here, but he will almost certainly go for the turf race."

Romantic Warrior left Hong Kong soon after landing his historic treble at Sha Tin under the Longines World's Best Jockey, James McDonald, and Shum soon followed on an exploratory visit to the Middle East to have a look at the Riyadh dirt.

He sought council about the surface switch from as many different sources as possible, including the legendary former jockey Mick Kinane, but a meeting between owner and trainer determined Romantic Warrior's path to potential stardom in Saudi Arabia.

"It wasn't an easy decision for the owner as we missed the Gold Cup and Stewards' Cup in Hong Kong," explained Shum. "If we stayed there we could win on the turf easily, but Peter really wanted to try the challenge of the world's richest race and come to The Saudi Cup, and we are really looking forward to it.

"James, Peter and I discussed about running first on dirt in the Al Maktoum Challenge and thought that might be better.

"But Peter and I had a lunch meeting and he made a very good point. He said we should run on the turf in Dubai as he could have a [bad] experience on the dirt there, and that the Dubai and Saudi dirt is different. He could win or run really well in Dubai, but that doesn't mean he can run well in Saudi.

"So we went to the Jebel Hatta knowing we can win easily - and we will keep the dirt a secret. Maybe he will be very good on it, or maybe he can't handle it - but we won't be disappointed if he loses so long as he is happy and sound."

The winner of 18 his 23 career starts, Romantic Warrior overcame intense fractions to run out a comfortable near five-length winner under McDonald.

"In that race you saw Romantic Warrior and his turn of foot,' said Shum. "He hit the line strong and he is improving - which I am quite shocked about as he is seven-years-old!

"I didn't worry as I talked to James and I trust him 100 percent as to when is the right time to press the button. The horse is waiting for his instructions, you can see that, and the horse and jockey are really matched together.

"James has such confidence in the horse. When you watch James and Romantic Warrior - they are one. It is amazing to see. It's incredible."

Argentinean Rivals, El Kodigo and Intense For Me in $20 million Saudi Cup

Feb 11 - South American rider Gustavo Calvente has nominated the drop to 1 1/8 miles as the only potential negative for Argentinean star El Kodigo when he tackles the $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Feb. 22.

Recognized as the top dirt horse in his homeland, El Kodigo is a multiple Group 1 winner over longer distances and has been purchased from Stud Juan Antonio to race in Saudi Arabia for Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb.

The local owner has also snapped up El Kodigo's Argentinean rival, Intense For Me, and will field three runners in the world's richest race with recent UK Cup winner Defunded also in the $20 million Group 1.

"El Kodigo is the best horse I've ever ridden," said Calvente. "No one expected a few days ago that he would be running in such an important race, but here we are - getting ready for the challenge. He's full of class and I trust he'll overcome any obstacles.

"The drop back in distance is my only worry - he's coming off a win in the Ramírez in Uruguay at 2400 meters (1 1/2 miles).

"As a juvenile he won the Group 1 Polla de Potrillos at 1600 meters (one mile), so he has speed, but he's been conditioned for longer trips. It'll come down to using his turn of foot and hoping for a fast pace, and with Laurel River in the mix, that seems guaranteed."

The 4-year-old will renew rivalry with Intense For Me who edged him out at the wire in the most recent renewal of the Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in December.

"El Kodigo has an exceptional record with five Group 1 victories, but this is a whole new level," Calvente continued. "I'm anxious for the moment to arrive and I trust he'll rise to the occasion. I've been studying the competition in Saudi Arabia, and Forever Young looks outstanding.

"The prospect of a fast pace gives me confidence. My only hope is that he handles the travel well, as he usually does, but this is a long trip with limited time to acclimate."

Calvente will be returning to Saudi Arabia on the back of Miriñaque's respectable seventh-place finish in the 2021 Red Sea Turf Handicap.

"It was a dream week with Miriñaque, an unforgettable experience," added the Buenos Airés-based jockey.

"Although we competed on turf, we trained on dirt, and the surface there is ideal for El Kodigo-a bit deeper than ours but with good grip. It's more like Maroñas than Palermo, and he's excelled on both.

"It's an honor for our team to take South America's best dirt horse to compete against the world's elite in Saudi Arabia.

"No Argentine horse has run in the Saudi Cup before, and now there will be two of us. It's a huge source of pride."

Facteur Cheval Eyes $20M Saudi Cup

Feb 5 - French raider given glowing assessment ahead of Saudi Cup date

French trainer Jerome Reynier believes the unique 1800-metre one-turn test of the Saudi Cup will suit Facteur Cheval (IRE) when his 'living legend' goes up against the world's best in Riyadh on February 22.

Reynier, along with owners Team Valour Racing/Gary Barber, have mapped out an audacious dirt campaign for the six-year-old, who enjoyed a break-through Group 1 success in the Dubai Turf last March.

Facteur Cheval has been best known for his top-level grass exploits but has had his attentions turned for a crack at the world's richest race, and connections were deeply encouraged by his recent dirt debut when a closing third in the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan Racecourse.

"He took a lot of kickback in his face from his position that day and in the final furlong he was walking all over them but couldn't find any room," said the Marseille-based trainer.

"I thought it a better idea to try him on dirt in the Maktoum Challenge and if he ran well we could give it a go in the Saudi Cup. I didn't want to go straight into a big one with the question mark of him handling the conditions."

Mickael Barzalona was aboard Facteur Cheval in Dubai last month, with the pair coming from off the pace to try and run down the forward-going and reopposing Walk Of Stars under Tadgh O'Shea.

Reynier continued: "We wanted him to run on and see what his reaction would be to the kickback. Tadgh knows his way round Meydan and has got the perfect horse to do that - he has been going wire to wire on him.

"It will be a very different scenario in Saudi as it is only one turn and a long back stretch and the pace will be much higher too.

"Mickael thinks he will be better suited to the conditions in Saudi compared to Dubai. The surface in Saudi is slightly different and Mickael thinks he will be even better on it, so lets give it a try. The distance is also the same as the Dubai Turf, so we are very hopeful."

A first outing on dirt was a possible at the end of 2024, and Reynier added: "He has got American connections and they always wanted to try him on dirt.

"They wanted me to send him to California for the Breeders' Cup Classic last year but I thought the QEII was a better choice - to stay in Europe with a better chance."

Facteur Cheval came off second best to star miler Charyn on that occasion and, despite only having one Group 1 success to his name, the six-times winner has multiple placings at the highest level.

"He is a living legend for us," added Reynier. "He is a lovely horse and always gives his best so it is an exciting project to go to Saudi with him.

"We will see how he competes with the Japanese and Americans in the Saudi Cup before probably heading back to the Dubai Turf.

"The Dubai World Cup is 2000 metres with two turns on a particular surface and I think he will be better suited by the Dubai Turf before coming back to Europe."

White Abarrio Ruled Out Of Saudi Cup

The 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic and 2025 Pegasus World Cup winner White Abarrio will not travel to the Saudi Cup. Instead, the 6-year-old son of Race Day will be focused on a U.S. campaign and will be targeted at a return to the G1 Met Mile on June 7, along with the G3 Ghostzapper - a prep race on March 29 at Gulfstream Park.

Facteur Cheval (IRE) Switches To Dirt For 2025 Saudi Cup

Feb 5 - French trainer Jerome Reynier believes the unique 1 1/8-mile one-turn test of the $20 million Saudi Cup will suit Facteur Cheval (IRE) when his 'living legend' goes up against the world's best in Riyadh on Feb. 22.

Reynier, along with owners Team Valour Racing/Gary Barber, have mapped out an audacious dirt campaign for the 6-year-old, who enjoyed a break-through Group 1 success in the Dubai Turf last March.

Facteur Cheval has been best known for his top-level grass exploits but has had his attentions turned for a crack at the world's richest race, and connections were deeply encouraged by his recent dirt debut when a closing third in the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan Racecourse.

"He took a lot of kickback in his face from his position that day and in the final furlong he was walking all over them but couldn't find any room," said the Marseille-based trainer.

"I thought it a better idea to try him on dirt in the Maktoum Challenge and if he ran well we could give it a go in the Saudi Cup. I didn't want to go straight into a big one with the question mark of him handling the conditions."

Mickael Barzalona was aboard Facteur Cheval in Dubai last month, with the pair coming from off the pace to try and run down the forward-going and reopposing Walk Of Stars under Tadgh O'Shea.

Reynier continued: "We wanted him to run on and see what his reaction would be to the kickback. Tadgh knows his way round Meydan and has got the perfect horse to do that - he has been going wire to wire on him.

"It will be a very different scenario in Saudi as it is only one turn and a long back stretch and the pace will be much higher too.

"Mickael thinks he will be better suited to the conditions in Saudi compared to Dubai. The surface in Saudi is slightly different and Mickael thinks he will be even better on it, so lets give it a try. The distance is also the same as the Dubai Turf, so we are very hopeful."

A first outing on dirt was a possible at the end of 2024, and Reynier added: "He has got American connections and they always wanted to try him on dirt.

"They wanted me to send him to California for the Breeders' Cup Classic last year but I thought the QEII was a better choice - to stay in Europe with a better chance."Facteur Cheval came off second best to star miler Charyn on that occasion and, despite only having one Group 1 success to his name, the six-times winner has multiple placings at the highest level.

"He is a living legend for us," added Reynier. "He is a lovely horse and always gives his best so it is an exciting project to go to Saudi with him.

"We will see how he competes with the Japanese and Americans in the Saudi Cup before probably heading back to the Dubai Turf.

"The Dubai World Cup is 2000 metres with two turns on a particular surface and I think he will be better suited by the Dubai Turf before coming back to Europe."

Rattle N Roll Earns Slot In Saudi Cup

Jan 27 - Rattle N Roll (USA) came from the clouds to run out a comfortable winner of the Group 3 The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup for trainer Kenny McPeek, booking his place in the field for the $20 million Group 1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Leased for his Middle Eastern campaign by Saudi Arabian businessman Sharaf Al Hariri from US connections, Lucky Seven Stables, Rattle and Roll was settled well off the pace after emerging from stall 10. US Hall of Fame rider, Joel Rosario patiently waited in behind as fellow American runner EJ Won The Cup (USA), under Mike Smith, set a strong gallop at the front of the field.

Off the home turn Rattle N Roll and Rosario began to make ground and, when switched towards the inside rail, the son of Connect stayed on strongly to power clear in the closing stages, winning by 4 3/4 lengths at the line.

After the race, Rosario said: "The horse was able to do everything. I was just sitting there, the pace was good in front and it worked out perfectly.

"It looked like it was a good pace, I just wanted to let him be where he wanted to be and hopefully he can run at the end, and he did! He just went away [after crossing the line]. It was a very good win.'

It marked a double on the day for the US-based rider, who was also successful aboard Ancestral Land (GB) for Saudi-based trainer, Jimmy Jerkens in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint Qualifier presented by REEF.

After his double, Rosario said: "It's very nice to be here. We had two winners - it was a good day. There are so many things that have to go your way, but it's a blessing when you can win.'

Commenting on Rattle N Roll's chance in next month's Saudi Cup over course and distance, he said: "He handled the track well and we beat good horses today. A lot of good horses are going to be coming here, it'll be a tough race, but we'll see what happens - hopefully he can perform the way he did today.'

Pegasus World Cup Winner White Abarrio Possible for Saudi Cup 2025

Jan 26 - Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. called Saturday's Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park as "one of the best days of my career.'

Not only did Joseph saddle Be Your Best to victory in the TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mate Turf (G2) presentation by SirDavis American Whisky and Mystic Lake in the Inside Information (G2), but he capped off his day by winning the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) with White Abarrio.

"In general, you win with Mystic Lake and you win with Be Your Best, that would be a great day in its own right,' Joseph said. "To have the story unfold with White Abarrio. It comes full circle and to end like that, it's almost like a movie. A dream, basically.'

Joseph said White Abarrio, Be Your Best, Mystic Lake and Skippylongstocking, who finished third in the Pegasus World Cup, "all bounced out well.'

"The ownership group is going to speak to each other and decide on what happens with [White] Abarrio. The Saudi Cup is possible.'

Shum believes Romantic Warrior can handle Saudi dirt track

Dec 16 - Trainer of globetrotting triple Hong Kong Cup winner visits King Abdulaziz Racecourse ahead of historic raid.

Monday 16th December, 2024 - Danny Shum has begun preparations for The Saudi Cup (G1) in February by visiting the track where his three-time Hong Kong Cup winner, Romantic Warrior, will bid to win the world's most valuable race.

The Saudi Cup will mark the first time any Hong Kong-trained horse has competed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It will also be the first time Romantic Warrior will have raced on dirt.

"It's my first time here, so it all feels very new", Shum said while a spectator during Saturday's Crown Prince Cups meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. "I walked around the dirt track and have watched a few races.

"Me and the owners know he's a very talented horse and we believe he will handle it. We don't know for sure if he'll handle it, but I hope so."

Romantic Warrior is already a record-breaker, being the first horse to win three Hong Kong Cups as well as becoming the highest-earning horse of all-time, something Shum acknowledges is very special. The gelding son of Acclamation is no stranger to winning overseas having added the Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen in Japan this June and Australia's Cox Plate in 2023 to his impressive CV.

"He created history by winning three Hong Kong Cups and the racing public in Hong Kong love him. It's very special for me, my stable and for Hong Kong to have a runner in The Saudi Cup, so I want to make sure I do as good a job as possible."

28 individual Group 1 winners entered in blockbuster Saudi Cup 2025

Jan 10 - A strong entry of 28 Group 1 winners have been put forward for this year's Group 1 $20 million Saudi Cup, which will take place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Saturday 22 February, 2025.

Last year's Dubai World Cup winner, Laurel River (USA), could face Breeders' Cup Classic victor Sierra Leone (USA) and be joined by three-time Hong Kong Cup winner Romantic Warrior (IRE), 2024 Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan (USA), as well as last year's Saudi Cup champion, Señor Buscador (USA) in what promises to be an unmissable spectacle.

Other notable runners that could feature in the 1800m contest are last year's Saudi Derby winner, Forever Young (JPN), 2024 Japanese Derby winner, Danon Decile (JPN), as well as Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint star, Soul Of An Angel (USA) and five-time Argentine Group 1 winner El Kodigo (ARG).

Including the feature race, the two-day Saudi Cup meeting has attracted 1,123 entries - comprising of 81 individual Group 1 winners - from a total of 21 countries who will fight it out for the $38.1 million prize money on offer across the Saudi Cup weekend held on 21 and 22 February.

OffTrackBetting.com - US Legal Saudi Cup betting online is a great way to bet horse racing at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Available to customers across the United States, OTB features both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing from major racing venues in the US as well as top international racing from Europe, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong.