George Boughey, Survie, and an Investment Seeking Rapid Returns

The trainer will send out the mare against the colts in the Neom Turf Cup (G1) after purchasing her for 1,900,000 guineas

George Boughey holds high hopes for Survie in Saturday’s other G1 in Riyadh / JCSA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).— With the goal of quickly recouping a multi-million dollar investment, British trainer George Boughey arrives at the Neom Turf Cup (G1) with his brand-new acquisition Survie. This Saturday, she will seek to make her mark over 2,100 meters on the turf at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, in a race that has seen its purse rise to $3 million this year.

The story is recent and ambitious. In early December, the daughter of Churchill was sent to the Tattersalls sales in Newmarket, where she was acquired by Michael and Doreen Tabor for 1,900,000 guineas (approximately US$2,475,000), following a high-level campaign in France under the care of Nicolas Clement and Frauke Hermans.

She was no unknown quantity: Survie had already come agonizingly close to G1 glory, hitting the board in major events such as the French Oaks, the Prix Jean Romanet, and the Pretty Polly Stakes, establishing herself as a top-tier mare on the European circuit.

Boughey, one of the strongest emerging figures in British racing, quickly identified the Neom Turf Cup as an ideal target, especially following its promotion to the highest category and the prize money increase. Before traveling to the Middle East, he gave her a prep run at Lingfield in a 2,000-meter conditions race, where she comfortably dispatched two rivals.

“She has progressed well,” Boughey explained from England. “Lingfield was clearly a prep run. She came out of it perfect; we didn’t overcook her last week, and she arrived in Saudi Arabia in very good form.”

The trainer also highlighted the importance of the change in scenery: “She was coming off a clear defeat over 2,800 meters on very heavy ground. This is completely different: 2,100 meters on firm going. I’ve always thought this distance would suit her better.”

Boughey, who only started sending out runners in 2019, has had a meteoric rise. He won the 1,000 Guineas (G1) with Cachet (Aclaim) and achieved a resounding international victory last year with Believing (Mehmas) in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1) in Dubai. He is also no stranger to this race, having finished fourth in 2023.

“The draw will be key. On this track and at this distance, it’s fundamental,” he warned. “A few years ago, we drew wide with Missed The Cut (Quality Road), and that compromised us. Now, the ride will be with Ryan Moore, who already knows her and has worked her at home.”

The presence of Moore adds confidence in a setting where competition will be fierce and global in character. But Boughey remains optimistic. “We are very happy. I think the return to this distance and on better ground is exactly what she needs. It’s very exciting to have a mare of this caliber for Michael and Doreen Tabor; she’s our first exclusive horse for them, and we want to make the most of the opportunity.”

In a race that gathers international stars and grows in stature year after year, Survie will attempt to transform her multi-million dollar price tag into a tangible result. For Boughey, it would be another firm step in his consolidation as one of the leading names in European turf on the world stage.