In news just filtering through, the Sporting Post learns that former SA Champion trainer Geoff Woodruff saddled his first feature race winner in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
![](https://www.sportingpost.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Woody-Saudi-JCSA-944x630.jpeg)
Alwazir wins in grand style and qualifies for the classic (Pic – JCSA)
The 3yo Alwazir, a son of American Pharoah ridden by Victor Gutierrez, won the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Faisal Cup run on the dirt at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse and now qualifies for the Saudi Derby on Saudi Cup night.
Woodruff saddled his first winner for his employer Sheikh Abdulelah Abdul Aziz Almousa of Al Sawami Stables in November 2022. Just a few months prior to that the 66 year old legend of the South African training ranks was relaxing on a beach in Mauritius, ready to retire!
We wish him the best going forward.