WATTFAH - Joel Rosario - Photo: JCSA
Joel Rosario’s Saudi return is already paying dividends. The U.S.-based, Dominican-born Hall of Famer put on a clinic at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Thursday, winning three races from seven rides as the Riyadh season rolls toward the Saudi Cup meeting next month.
Rosario’s day began in style in Race 1 (3YO Fillies Maiden, 1200m), where he delivered Wattfah with the timing and efficiency that have defined his best days on the American circuit. Wattfah stopped the clock first, giving Rosario the early momentum and setting the tone for what became a headline-grabbing session.
He doubled up quickly in Race 3 (3YO, 1200m), steering Makthorh to victory. The result underlined a theme that has followed Rosario across continents: when he gets into rhythm—especially on dirt—he can stack wins in bunches.
And then came the hat trick. In Race 7 (4UP, 1400m) Rosario partnered Jemer and made it three for the afternoon/evening, sealing a day that instantly became one of his most productive at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA).
Even his non-winning rides carried substance. Rosario stayed competitive in Race 6 (4Y, 1400m), finishing third aboard Artajil in a race that produced a price on top, while another mount, Yeard Alrooh, did not feature among the top finishers in Race 4. His final mount was with Ibn Alwaleed in Race 11, finishing in second place.
Taken together, it was the kind of “arrival” card that resonates in Riyadh during this time of year—when international riders drop in, top stables sharpen their weapons, and every performance is viewed through the lens of Saudi Cup weekend.
A Saudi pattern is emerging: Rosario’s “big-race” comfort in Riyadh
Rosario’s success Thursday doesn’t come out of nowhere. Over the last few seasons, his Saudi appearances have increasingly been tied to major weekends and high-leverage assignments, particularly in the build-up to the Saudi Cup.
A defining moment in that trend came in January 2025, when Rosario piloted Rattle N Roll to victory in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (King’s Cup) at King Abdulaziz—one of the key stepping-stones on the calendar. Coverage at the time noted Rosario’s poised, economical ride as Rattle N Roll powered clear, a performance that also served as a Saudi Cup qualifier.
Now, as the 2026 Trials Weekend approaches, Rosario is again at the center of the conversation. Both JCSA’s own preview and international reporting have highlighted him as one of the headline riders in town, with a target on repeating in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup—a race that once again feeds directly into the Saudi Cup picture.
Note by Agentes 305 – Carlos Morales
Video of his 3 wins today at King Abdulaziz
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