Saudi Cup Qualifiers: Key Races and Winners Overview

The Saudi Cup Qualifiers Weekend at King Abdulaziz Racecourse showcased a series of important qualifying contests across dirt and turf, giving horses the opportunity to secure spots in all races on Saudi Cup race night such as the Neom Turf Cup, Red Sea Turf Handicap, 1351 Turf Sprint, Riyadh Dirt Sprint, The Saudi Cup and classic Arabian G1 events.

Friday, January 16 – Major Qualifiers & Winners

🥇 Listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup – Qualifier for the Group 1 Neom Turf Cup

Winner: Bolide Porto (IRE)
Jockey: Camilio Ospina
Trainer: Bader Rizaiq
Owner:King Abdullah Bin A\Aziz Sons
Distance/Surface: 2100mts (10.5 Furlongs) / Turf
Final Time: 2:08.864
Highlight: Bolide Porto defended his title in this SAR 1,000,000 turf contest, edging out Direct Security (IRE) by a head to secure his place in the Group 1 Neom Turf Cup on Saudi Cup night. The victory marked a back-to-back win in this race for the White Stable of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons and underscored the five-year-old’s affinity for turf at Riyadh.

🥇 Red Sea Turf Qualifier presented by Baden Group

Winner: Sayyah (USA)
Jockey: Naif Alanazi
Trainer: Hesham Abdulwahed
Owner: King Abdullah Bin A\Aziz Sons
Distance/Surface: 3000 mts (15 furlongs) / Turf
Final Time: 3:08.213
Highlight: In a commanding performance, Sayyah surged clear over 3000m for a dominant victory that punched his ticket for the Red Sea Turf Handicap, thrilling onlookers with a wide-margin triumph and consecutive wins in stakes company.

🥇 1351 Turf Sprint Qualifier sponsored by SAUDIA

Winner: Zefzaf (USA)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Sami Alharabi
Owner: Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin A/Aziz
Distance/Surface: 1351 mts / Turf
Final Time: 1:19.906
Highlight: A strong pace set up this fast turf dash, and Zefzaf — representing the Red Stable of Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz — capitalized to secure qualification for the 1351 Turf Sprint on Saudi Cup night.

🥇 Al-Mneefah Qualifier sponsored by SHG

Winner: Adeeb Al Shahania (FR)
Jockey: Muhammad Aldaham
Trainer: S. Almadfa
Owner: Khalid Saeed A Alsayed
Distance/Surface: 2100mts (10.5 furlongs) / Turf
Final Time: 2:22.361
Highlight: The progressive Adeeb Al Shahania bounced back from a recent stakes fourth to take this qualifier and earn a berth in the G1 Al-Mneefah Cup (a Purebred Arabian feature) on February 13.

Saturday, January 17 – Major Qualifiers & Winners

🥇 The 2000 Guineas (Saudi Derby Qualifier)

Winner: Al Haram (IRE)
Jockey: Ricardo Ferreira
Trainer: Thamer Aldaihani
Owner: Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah
Distance/Surface: 1600 mts (8 furlongs) / Dirt
Final Time: 1:40.586
Highlight: Al Haram remains now unbeaten in 3 races since his debut. The 3yo colt came from mid-pack entering the final stretch, took advantage of an open space close to the rail to catch the leaders in the final 200 meters and easily win by 7 1/4 lengths to secure qualification for the Saudi Derby on Saudi Cup night.

🥇 Al-Dareyah Cup (Obaiya Classic Qualifier) (Group 3)

Winner: Maestro Du Croate (FR)
Jockey: Camilio Ospina
Trainer: Bassim Almousa
Owner: Ajmil Stable
Distance: 2000mts (10 furlongs) / Dirt
Final Time: 2:21.565
Highlight: Nijinsky al Mauri (FR) and Maestro Du Croate (FR) battled all the final stretch and the latter got the best in the final meters to win by 1 length and secure qualification for the Obaiya Classic on Saudi Cup night.

🥇 The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (Saudi Cup 2024 Qualifier) (Group 3)

Winner: Mhally (GB)
Jockey: Ricardo Ferreira
Trainer: Thamer Aldaihani
Owner: Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah
Distance/Surface: 1800mts (9 furlongs) / Dirt
Final Time: 1:54.230
Highlight: Mhally (GB) encountered a lot of traffic in the mid-stages of the race until, in the final 300 meters, Ricardo Ferreira was able to find enough space to make the move and get the lead, holding the advance of the filly Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) with Joel Rosario, who finished second just 3/4 length behind the winner. With this victory, the 4yo gelding son of SERGEI PROKKOFIEV secures qualification for the Saudi Cup.

🥇 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Qualifier

Winner: Min Shan (KSA)
Jockey: Camilio Ospina
Trainer: Ahmed Mohamoud
Owner: King Abdullah Bin A\Aziz Sons
Distance/Surface: 1200mts (6 furlongs) / Dirt
Final Time: 1:14.037
Highlight: A strong pace set up this fast race, and Min Shan (KSA) a locally bred 4yo Colt, defeated Jeddah Beach (USA) by 3 3/4 lengths — representing the White Stable of King Adbullah bin Aziz/Aziz Sons — capitalized to secure qualification for the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saudi Cup night.