Mishriff clinches $20 million Saudi Cup; Godolphin notch a double

Dubai - Godolphin's Space Blues and Gifts Of Gold won two races on the seven-race card

Mishriff clinched the $20 million Saudi Cup while Godolphin flew the flag for the UAE by notching an impressive double on Saudi Cup night on Saturday.

On a rainswept King Abdulaziz Racecourse, on the outskirts of Riyadh, the John Gosden-trained Mishriff came up with a scintillating run under David Egan, to land the world’s most valuable horse race.

Owned by Saudi Arabia’s Prince AA Faisal, Mishriff, the French Derby winner, made a late charge in the 1800 metres contest to pip the Bob Baffert-saddled Charlatan, the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes winner, by a length.

“I can’t believe it,” a jubilant Egan said, moments after the race.

“And to do it in Prince Faisal backyard, it is a great honour,” he added.

The UAE’s Military Law, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, finished sixth.

Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Space Blues and Gifts Of Gold won two races on the seven-race card. Space Blues, saddled by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, beat last year’s winner Dark Power by 3/4 length, to land the $1 million The 1351 Turf Sprint.

It was an eighth victory and fifth on the trot in 14 starts, for the five-year-old from Dubawi.

"Absolutely delighted with that,” said Appleby.

“We knew he was a class horse coming into the race and he had a lovely draw. I’ll be interested to see what William has to say because obviously Dubai World Cup night has to be taken into consideration,” he added.

Buick felt that Space Blues could have a shot in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night.

"We had a great run through. He broke well and I didn’t want to be too close to the pace. The pace was perfect. It wasn’t too hot or too slow. You’d imagine this would set him for the Al Quoz,” Buick said.

About half an hour later, Gifts Of Gold, trained by Emirati handler Saeed bin Suroor and the mount of Pat Cosgrave, won the $2.5 million The Red Sea Turf Handicap over 3000 metres. Appleby’s Secret Advisor finished third.

The evening had begun in sensational fashion with Hollie Doyle creating a bit of history. The British jockey became the first female jockey to ride a winner on Saudi Cup night.

The 24-year-old, who had set a new record for winners ridden in a British season by a female jockey with 116 victories, in 2019, made a late challenge to guide eight-year-old mare True Self to victory in the $1 million The Neom Turf Cup.

Doyle followed in the footsteps of New Zealand Champion Jockey Lisa Allpress, who had become the first woman to win a flat race in Saudi Arabia during the International Jockeys Challenge in the inaugural running last year.

“It has been an incredible year, so it’s great to get the new year off in a prestigious race such as this,” said Doyle

Earlier, on Friday night, Shane Foley scored a fine double to triumph in the second running of the International Jockeys Challenge. The Irish jockey won two of the four races, on Emblem Star and filly Motawariyah, to log 30 points.

Saudi Arabian jockey Adel Alfouraidi finished second with 25 points followed by US Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith with 19 points.

“It’s massive to win this,” said Foley.

“It was such a privilege even to be invited here but to be competing and winning - it’s the sort of thing you strive for,” added the 32-year-old.

Fourteen top male and female jockeys from all over the world took part in the Challenge.

james@khaleejtimes.com

RESULTS:

$1 million The Neom Turf Cup, 2100m, Turf:

Winner: True Self

Jockey: Hollie Doyle

Trainer: WP Mullins

$1 million The 1351 Turf Sprint, 1351m, Turf:

Winner: Space Blues

Jockey: William Buick

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

$2.5 million The Red Sea Turf Handicap, 3000m, Turf:

Winner: Gifts Of Gold

Jockey: Pat Cosgrave

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor

$1.5 million The Saudi Derby, 1600m, Dirt:

Winner: Pink Kamehameha

Jockey: K Tosaki

Trainer: H Mori

$1.5 million The Riyadh Dirt Sprint, 1200m, Dirt:

Winner: Copano Kicking

Jockey: William Buick

Trainer: Akira Murayama

$20 million Saudi Cup, 1800m, Dirt:

Winner: Mishriff

Jockey: David Egan

Trainer: John Gosden