Intense for Me Finishes Fourth in Comeback; Pereyra Debuts in the UAE

In his first start back, the 2024 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) winner ran a respectable race in Saudi Arabia, while the jockey finished eighth on his debut in Abu Dhabi

Haqeet Delivers at King Abdulaziz / JCSA

The Arab racing scene played host to two notable moments for South American connections over the weekend. At King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia, Intense for Me made his first start since his disappointing run in February’s Saudi Cup (G1), finishing fourth—though well beaten—in a conditional event. Meanwhile, the 2025/26 season opener at Abu Dhabi marked the debut of Argentine jockey William Pereyra in the United Arab Emirates.

Last year’s Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) hero, Intense for Me—owned by Muhaideb Abdullah A. Almuhaideb, trained by Abdulaziz Meshref, and ridden by Luis Morales—checked in 15 3/4 lengths behind Haqeet (Arrogate), who stopped the clock in 2:12.96. The Argentine-bred gelding traveled kindly near the pace and briefly looked a threat turning for home, but his early bid to challenge the leader took its toll late, leaving him to finish off the board.

A son of Fortify, Intense for Me contested the race over turf—a surface on which he never won, even in maiden company at Palermo, where conditions are much lighter. The outing, however, served its purpose as a needed comeback prep, with the team now eyeing a possible return during the Saudi Cup 2026 meeting.

In Abu Dhabi, Argentine rider William Pereyra had his first local mount, finishing eighth aboard the Purebred Arabian Fidanar (Jalnar Al Khalidiah) for trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri, whose stable Pereyra will represent as first-call jockey. The race, a 1200-meter turf conditions event for older horses, opened the new UAE racing season.

Also making their first seasonal appearance were Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga, though their runner Expert Choice (Expert Eye) failed to fire in the Desert Jewel H. (1400m, turf), trailing home nearly 37 lengths behind Tabdeel (Land Force). The winner was partnered by Brazilian ace Silvestre de Sousa for Michael Costa, who began the new campaign just as he ended the last—on top.