The Portuguese jockey reached the pinnacle, guiding the colt to victory in the Saudi Derby (G3) at Riyadh, securing vital points for the Kentucky Derby (G1). Ricardo Sousa, still in the irons of Al Haram / JCSA By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).– As the dust began to settle on the King Abdulaziz home straight, a new star among the 3-year-olds was born. Simultaneously, th

The Japanese sensation aims to maintain his dominance at King Abdulaziz, facing off against Nysos and Nevada Beach, Bob Baffert’s high-profile contenders. Forever Young, a formidable athlete who never tires of reaching for glory / JCSA By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).– There are nights that transcend the calendar and find their place in history. The Saudi Cup (G1-1,800

The Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2), the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2), and the 1351 Turf Sprint (G3) round out the massive international meeting. Imagination, another strong hand for Bob Baffert in Riyadh / JCSA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).– Beyond the Saudi Cup (G1), the Neom Turf Cup (G1), and the Saudi Derby (G3), the high-profile card at King Abdulaziz Racecourse is completed by a series of stakes races that, given the depth of the fields, provide a tru

The Japanese contender faces a deep field at King Abdulaziz, seeking vital points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1). Satono Voyage moved with ease during morning works in Riyadh / JCSA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).– In just six editions, the Saudi Derby (G3-1,600m, dirt, $1.5 million) has evolved from an exotic promise into a strategic fixture on the international stakes map. The race, held on the King Abdulaziz dirt with Kentucky Derby (G1) po

The mare, recently purchased for a fortune, takes on Shin Emperor, Silawi, Galen, and Facteur Cheval, among others. Shin Emperor won the 2025 renewal of the Neom Turf Cup / JCSA By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario) – The evolution of the Saudi Cup (G1) international program has found a new emblem in the elevation of the Neom Turf Cup to top-flight status. Contested over 2,100 m

The son of Orpen captured the Longines Conquest Chronograph over 1,200 meters, returning to the winner's circle in style. Condor Pasa delivered another victory for Argentine racing in Meydan DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).– The latest meeting at Meydan delivered a high-voltage Friday night under the lights, serving as the perfect prelude to the upcoming Super Saturday . With a blend of local grit and international flair, the spotlight shone brightest

The filly captured the Fillies Mile, the colt took home the Sarawat Cup, and the Arabian star secured the Al Mneefah Cup (G1). Tedoum was unstoppable in the Riyadh Fillies Mile / JCSA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).– Bearing the unmistakable seal of international racing and set against the unparalleled backdrop of King Aziz Racecourse , the opening day of the Saudi Cup (G1) weekend delivered high-voltage thrills, confirming Riyadh’s dirt track as one of the

The son of Frankel captured the Saudi International Handicap, where Brazilian jockey Francisco Leandro finished a close sixth aboard Hans Andersen after leading into the stretch. Mickael Barzalona and Gran Descans stood out in the day’s featured event for Thoroughbreds / JCSA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).– Mickael Barzalona completed a dream day at King Abdulaziz Racecourse by winning the Saudi International Handicap Presented by Lucid ($500,000 purse,

The Frenchman secured victory in the final two legs of the championship, edging out Norway’s Frida Valle-Skar and Britain’s Saffie Osborne. For Barzalona, a formidable moment in his career / JCSA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).– Mickael Barzalona extended his professional golden streak by clinching the 2026 International Jockeys’ Challenge Presented by J Event at King Abdulaziz Racecourse this Friday, during the opening day of the Saudi Cup (G1) meeting.

Aidan’s sons will saddle several runners in pursuit of glory at the Saudi Cup meeting. Donnacha O’Brien harbors high hopes / ARCHIVE RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).– The O’Brien surname is once again taking center stage on the international scene, this time with a Saudi flair. In the build-up to the latest edition of the Saudi Cup , the young Irish trainer Donnacha O’Brien is preparing for a special day at the imposing King Abdulaziz Racecourse , where this

The Argentine trainer, based in Denmark for 15 years, will saddle the Frankel gelding Hans Andersen in Friday’s Saudi International Handicap during the Saudi Cup meeting—a story of grit and perseverance. William Segovia en Riyadh, a la espera de una gran experiencia By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).– On the eve of the world’s most powerful day on the racing calendar in t

At the end of the Dubai World Cup Carnival in Meydan, the Brazilian will travel to the Asian country to compete for 3 months Francisco Leandro confirmed to Global Media Turf that in April he will go to race in Japan / GLOBAL MEDIA TURF By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) RIYADH , Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).- From Riyadh , on the eve of the first day of the Saudi Cup meeting, Francisco Leandro once again face

Trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi makes his second international bid with the bay, who finished fifth in the Golden Eagle Panja Tower moved with ease over the King Abdulaziz dirt / JCSA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).— Japan is once again aiming high in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2), the $2 million event presented by Qiddiya City , and one of its standard-bearers will be Panja Tower , who will attempt to sustain the Japanese streak on the demanding stretch of King Abdu

The grey G1 winner at Del Mar will contest the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) this Saturday, and trainer Librado Barocio is full of hope Lovesick Blues winning the Bing Crosby Stakes in the United States / BENOIT PHOTO RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).— With a bruised ego following a trip filled with setbacks in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), the seasoned American speedster Lovesick Blues will seek redemption this Saturday in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2), contested o

Friday marks the first of two days for the Saudi Cup festival; the Brazilian jockey will ride Hans Andersen in the Saudi International Handicap Francisco Leandro will be aboard Hans Andersen in the day's main event for Thoroughbreds / DRC By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).— The 2026 Saudi Cup festival kicks off this Friday with a program featuring the latest edition of th

The Doug O'Neill trainee will start in this Saturday's Saudi Derby (G3); the trainer will also send out Zio Jo in the 1351 Turf Sprint The flashy chestnut caught everyone's eye during the morning sessions in Riyadh / JCSA RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).— When it comes to chasing major purses, Doug O’Neill knows exactly how to play his hand. The American trainer, a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner with Nyquist (Uncle Mo) and a legendary figure through the feats of

The man who conditioned the legendary Zenyatta and won the Kentucky Derby with Giacomo passed away this Thursday at the age of 80 John Shirreffs, Hector Berrios, and all smiles following one of Baeza’s victories / BENOIT PHOTO CALIFORNIA, United States (Special for Turf Diario).— The global racing community woke up this Thursday to news that cuts deep. At the age of 80, John Shirreffs passed away at his home in Arcadia, California. He was the trainer who guided the unforgett

As is customary, to avoid overlapping with the Riyadh show in Saudi Arabia, Dubai has organized a transitional program Meydan awaits another exciting day of racing / DRC DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— The Dubai Racing Carnival returns this Friday with an intense and highly competitive card at Meydan , featuring eight races where there is virtually no room for concessions. Large fields, specialists in top form, and an attractive combination of turf an

The son of Gun Runner is the standout figure in Saturday’s feature race on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) Carrying the Coolmore colors, Paladin will seek to keep trending upward NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (Special for Turf Diario).— If the scene feels familiar, it’s because it is. A high-priced colt by Gun Runner , trained by Chad Brown , arrives at Fair Grounds to contest the Risen Star Stakes (G2) with hopes of igniting a campaign toward the Kentucky Derby (G1). Two yea

The Japanese champion and defending titleholder secured a favorable starting position this Saturday for the world’s richest race Forever Young: The horse capturing nearly every gaze in Riyadh / JCSA By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (From a special correspondent).— The ballot has spoken and the die is cast. At the imposing King Abdulaziz Racecourse , the post-position draw for the Saudi Cup (G1-1800m,