Jerome Reynier and the Hopes for Lazzat and Facteur Cheval at King Abdulaziz
- Turf Diario
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
The French trainer arrives with two high-caliber runners for the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) and the Neom Turf Cup (G1)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special for Turf Diario).— With proven international experience and established as one of the leading trainers of the new European generation, Frenchman Jerome Reynier arrives at the lavish Saudi Cup meeting—boasting $39.6 million in total purses—with a high-voltage duo led by Lazzat in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2) and Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) in the Neom Turf Cup (G1).
The Marseille-based conditioner will look to improve upon his previous appearances at the Saudi fixture—having finished 12th with Jacinda (Aclaim) in the 2022 Saudi Derby—this time relying on two horses of proven class among the world's elite.
The flagship will be Lazzat, representing Wathnan Racing, a winner of eight races from 14 starts. The son of Territories comes off an agonizingly close second in the British Champions Sprint (G1) at Ascot in October, following a campaign that included top-level victories such as the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) over 1,300 meters and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
“He is in great form and we believe this is an ideal race for him,” Reynier explained. “The 1,351 meters (approx. 6.7 furlongs) might be awkward for some, but for him, they are perfect. I’ve always had this race in mind.”
Versatile in every sense—having won on straight and turning tracks, clockwise and counter-clockwise, and on firm or heavy ground—Lazzat will face only his second adventure outside of Europe. In November 2024, he finished second in the Golden Eagle in Australia and, weeks later, ninth in the Hong Kong Mile (G1).
“In Australia, the pace was very strong and they attacked him too early; the 1,500 meters proved demanding under so much pressure,” the trainer analyzed. “In Hong Kong, everything went wrong: a slow pace and a jockey who didn't know him yet. Even so, he ran well. Now, as a 5-year-old, he is a better horse.”
The draw was decisive, Reynier warns. “It’s key to break near the rail, although we drew gate 12 and we’ll have to manage. But he breaks well and can position himself quickly. James Doyle will ride.”
In tandem, Facteur Cheval—winner of the 2024 Dubai Turf (G1) for Team Valor International and Gary Barber—will seek redemption on the grass after his seventh-place finish in last year's Saudi Cup on the dirt. He hasn't run since finishing ninth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) in October, a race in which he had been runner-up in the two previous editions.
The challenge will be demanding: for the first time, he will tackle 2,100 meters (approx. 10.5 furlongs) in the Neom Turf Cup.
“The Queen Elizabeth was complicated; the ground didn't help,” Reynier recalled. “But he always runs to the end. When he won in Dubai, he kept galloping past the wire. He has a tremendous attitude.”
The conditioner is confident regarding the new distance. “In Riyadh, the track is flat, the ground will be good, and I am sure he can stay the trip. He is now seven years old, very easy to handle, and has worked excellently. Mickael Barzalona will be back aboard.”
Both horses traveled from France via Luxembourg and landed in Riyadh last Sunday, while Reynier will join the team hours before the big event.
With a world-class sprinter and a proven middle-distance campaigner, Jerome Reynier arrives determined to leave his mark on the richest night in global turf, where every meter is worth gold and every decision can mean the difference between glory and anonymity.
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