SAUDI CUP - RUNNERS AND RIDERS - CJRFANTASY

Fresh from an absorbing Pegasus World Cup, CJRFantasy continues with the Saudi Cup, live from King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Saturday 22nd February. As the world’s richest race, it has attracted a stellar field, with international contenders jetting in from the Middle East, UK, Europe, USA, South America and Japan. Much of the pre-race talk has revolved around protagonists Forever Young (JAP) and Romantic Warrior (HK), with the former returning to the scene of his breakthrough success having won the Group 3 Saudi Derby on this card last year, and the latter seeking to record his sixth Group 1 in the past year alone. However, Romantic Warrior will face a completely new test as he makes the switch to dirt for the first time, and there are a host of proven Group 1 dirt horses (including two largely unknown entries from Argentina) who will be looking to take advantage should he not handle the surface. As such, this looks set to be a fantastic renewal of one of the world’s most unique and anticipated races, exclusively available as part of Crown Jewels Racing.

In order of XP:

Forever Young (10 XP) – Japanese raider who burst onto the international scene on this card last year, winning the G3 Saudi Derby. Continued to progress at a rate of knots in 2024, winning the G2 UAE Derby and finishing 3rd in both the G1 Kentucky Derby (likely would’ve won without significant interference) and G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Returned from a break in December to win the G1 Tokyo Daishoten (Wilson Tesoro 2nd, Ramjet 3rd, Wilson Tesoro 4th) and looks set for a big run returned to King Abdulaziz.

Romantic Warrior (10 XP) – one of the more experienced runners in this field who has dominated Hong Kong racing for nigh-on two years and enjoyed an astonishing 2024, winning all five races that included four Group 1s. Warmed up for this with another G1 victory in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan – but that was on turf – and the big question mark will be his ability to handle dirt with this being his debut run on the surface. The good news is that regular rider James McDonald, voted the world’s best jockey in 2024, flies over to reunite with his favoured mount and, if handling the ground, he could be very hard to beat.

Facteur Cheval (40 XP) – another international contender, this time from France. Has put up some impressive performance at the highest level in the past two years – albeit with a slight case of ‘seconditis’ – having finished runner-up in the 2023 G1 Sussex Stakes and back-to-back renewals of the G1 QEII Stakes. Enjoyed his day in the sun in March 2024 when winning the G1 Dubai Turf, and warmed up for this with a respectable 3rd of 12 back at that track in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge in January (Walk of Stars 1st). That was his first run on dirt – and not a bad one at that – but he’ll have to step up once again and further prove his credentials on this surface.

Rattle N Roll (40 XP) – the sole US contender, representing 2024 Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Kenny McPeek. Qualified for this by winning the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup at this track in January (Wait To Excel 2nd) – his first run outside of the US. That should stand him in good stead, but he’ll need to improve markedly to trouble the likes of Forever Young and Romantic Warrior at their peak.

Ushba Tesoro (60 XP) – high-class stallion who won the 2023 G1 Dubai World Cup, before filling the runner-up spot in a tight finish in this race last year. Returns for another crack at the jackpot prize but he’s not getting any younger (now an eight-year-old), and his form dropped off towards the back end of 2024. Warmed up for this with a respectable run in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten in December, finishing 4th of 10 (Forever Young 1st, Wilson Tesoro 2nd, Ramjet 3rd), but he’ll need to tap into the form of old to win here.

Walk of Stars (80 XP) – former Godolphin horse who is now trained by Dubai’s 2024 Champion Trainer Bhupat Seemar. Has taken his form to a new level this season at Meydan, having progressed from a Listed victory to taking the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge last month (Facteur Cheval 3rd). Needs to back it up but that was an impressive front-running performance.

Defunded (125 XP) – locally-trained/owned seven-year-old who competed in this race last year, finishing a modest 7th of 14. Followed that up with another midfield finish in the G1 Dubai World Cup but hasn’t been seen since, so will need to be well-primed to have any chance here after 325 days off.

El Kodigo (125 XP) – one of the two Argentinian entries, and thus a fascinating contender. The local Argentinian form is hard to weigh up, but this four-year-old colt won a Group 1 on debut so clearly bears plenty of talent, and has since gone on to win another four races at the highest level back home. Drops down in distance for this contest which raises further questions, but he could be anything at this stage. One to keep an eye on, win or lose.

Ramjet (125 XP) – another Japanese runner, as they look to win the race for 2nd time after Panthalassa in 2023. This four-year-old colt is one of the least exposed of the field, having only run six times, all in Japan. Finished 4th of 15 in a G1 in December (Forever Young 1st) and again finished behind Forever Young when 3rd of 10 in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten, following a three-month break. Given his lack of experience, those runs were impressive, and he’s a progressive horse who could hit the frame here.

Al Musmak (165 XP) – the only British raider, for the powerful Roger Varian stable. Competed exclusively in Group races in 2024 but generally struggled, finishing last in the G2 Dante Stakes and subsequently well-beaten in two Group 3 contests. On the balance of that form, he looks strongly up against it here, unless the switch to dirt (for the first time) brings out dramatic improvement.

Intense For Me (165 XP) – the second Argentinian runner, who has gone head-to-head with El Kodigo over the past six months. Beaten by El Kodigo in Group 1 contests in Autumn 2024, before turning the tables at San Isidro in December. Like his longtime rival from back home, his level of ability and potential to rise to this sort of challenge remains a big question mark, but certainly can’t be ruled out.

Wait To Excel (165 XP) – previously trained in the UK by James Tate but now under the watchful eye of local trainer Thamer Aldaihani. Qualified for the Saudi Cup when finishing 2nd in the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (Rattle N Roll 1st, Wootton’sun 3rd). That would’ve provided valuable experience of both the track and surface (first run on dirt), so could well improve from that outing.

Wilson Tesoro (165 XP) – the fourth and final Japanese entry, who often runs a good race but struggles to get his head in front. Finished a very respectable 4th in last year’s G1 Dubai World Cup, as well as 2nd in four Group 1 races across late 2023 and 2024, including when behind Forever Young in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten in December. That was a good prep run - and he was only 1 ¾ lengths behind the winner - so reversing the form is certainly not impossible.

Wootton’sun (330 XP) – relatively exposed six-year-old who was previously trained by Richard Fahey in the UK, but now in the hands of local trainer Abdullah Al Kahtani. Has had two runs in Riyadh, winning the King Saud Cup (local G1) in January 2024 before finishing 3rd behind Rattle N Roll and Wait to Excel in the G3 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (Saudi Cup Qualifier) in January 2025 after 378 days off. That should have eliminated any ring rust, but he still looks up against it in a field of this nature.

CJRF Tip:

1st – Forever Young                                                                       

2nd – Romantic Warrior

3rd –  Walk of Stars 

Ends