HORSERACING – CALIF and Cracksking headlined the Bahrain-trained horses that put in impressive performances yesterday in the sixth running of the Saudi Cup, held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Isa Bin Salman Education Charitable Trust board of trustees chairman, Labour Fund (Tamkeen) chairman, and Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) High Committee chairman Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was in attendance.
Calif and Cracksking both finished as runners-up in their respective races.
Competing in the $2 million Group Two Howden Neom Turf Cup, Calif took second place for Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Victorious Racing and trainer Fawzi Nass, with jockey Alberto Sanna in the saddle. The six-year-old gelding finished just under two-lengths behind winner Shin Emperor. Sovereign Spirit, competing for Al Afoo Racing, Jaber Ramadhan and Ryan Moore, came seventh in the same race as the other Bahrain-trained contender.
Meanwhile, Cracksking was running in the Saudi International Handicap presented by NHC, carrying a total prize purse of $500,000. Cracksking took second place for owners Al Adiyat Racing and trainer Allan Smith, with Tom Marquand as the jockey. The five-year-old gelding finished just a length behind winner Austral.
Qaader finished right behind in third place for Alrifga Stable, Nass, and Sanna.
Finally, in the $2m Group Two 1351 Turf Sprint presented by Boutique Group, three Bahrain-trained horses were in the fray.
Goemon finished in third place for Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim, Haider Ebrahim, and Sanna, Byline came fifth for the Adiyat-Smith-Marquand triumvirate, and Ava Go Joe was 13th for AMS Racing, Ali Jan, and Ebrahim Nader Moosa.
The Saudi Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious and valuable race days. It offered $38m in prize money across nine races this year, and the seven Bahrain-trained horses that competed are amongst the highest-rated.
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