In a Saudi Cup packed with international superstars, it was the local horse Emblem Road who caused an almighty upset at 80-1 in the world’s richest horse race.
The four-year-old colt broke last of all in the field of 14 in the $20 million Gr1 race and travelled wide before launching a sustained challenge under jockey Wigberto Ramos.
The Racing Post reports that Emblem Road closed down the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer to win by half a length, with another American runner Midnight Bourbon in third.
The well-bred son of Quality Road took his record to seven wins from nine starts for local trainer Mitab Almulawah, who also scooped fourth with 2019 Chester Cup winner Making Miracles.
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Assistant trainer Hisham Albulwahed told Racing TV: “The Kingdom has gone crazy today, we have to party everywhere. To put our names on the Cup, that’s an amazing thing for the Kingdom and for us. We started from the beginning of the season and worked hard to get to this point and today we won. It means so much to us.”
When asked about a potential Dubai World Cup bid at Meydan on March 26, Albulwahed added: “Why not? We can do it like today.”
Last year’s winner Mishriff, who was sent off favourite, was under pressure from his draw in stall 14 and was a beaten horse turning for home under David Egan to eventually finish last.
“He’s better than that,” Egan said. “He didn’t jump as sharply as he did last year and was on the back foot. We slowly crept up and got into a nice position but once we turned into the bend he was struggling a long way out and it was definitely not him.
“Something must be amiss but hopefully he’s all right. I looked after him and hopefully he’ll have another day.”
Country Grammer was narrowly denied a second top-level success after snatching the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes in June under Flavien Prat.
Prat said: “I thought I had the job done. He ran great, had a great trip and there are no excuses. He proved what a good horse he is.”
Sealiway, who was last seen defeating Mishriff in October’s Champion Stakes, failed to handle the dirt under Ryan Moore and dropped away tamely.
The Japanese had already claimed four races on the lucrative Saudi Cup card but neither TO Keynes or Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine were able to land a blow.
www.racingpost.com
