Riyadh Delivers a Wealth of Attractions, with Silvestre de Sousa and Oisin Murphy Headlining the Cast

King Abdulaziz Racecourse brins together top-class quality and marquee names, with elite jockey talent standing out as one of the weekend’s main draws

Oisin Murphy will be one of the headline attractions in Riyadh / JCSA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (Special to Turf Diario)— Week 11 of the season at King Abdulaziz Racecourse arrives packed with depth and quality, blending Group 3 action for Purebred Arabians, two Listed contests for Thoroughbreds, a series of domestic Group 1s, and the star presence of British champions Oisin Murphy and Silvestre de Sousa, who add further sparkle to a high-impact program.

Murphy will carry strong hands on both Friday and Saturday for King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s White Stable and partners, headed by Gran Descans, formerly trained by Harry Charlton. The son of Frankel is set for the King Saud Cup (L, 2000m, SAR 800,000) after finishing fourth on his local debut earlier this month with Christophe Soumillon aboard. Eighteen runners are declared, with the same colors also represented by Haqeet (Arrogate)—runner-up last time in the Crown Prince Cup—under Camilo Ospina, while Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz’s Red Stable sends out My Frankel (Frankel) and Motafared (Cloud Computing).

Topping the ratings is Thundersquall (Dubawi), to be ridden by Tariq Almansour for Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The 6-year-old looks to continue his upward trajectory after defeating Wait To Excel (Exceed and Excel) over this course and distance last month.

The other Listed feature is the King Faisal Cup (1600m, SAR 800,000), where Waqtuk (Not This Time) and Alexis Moreno aim to confirm recent form against Uncle (Harry Angel). Familiar rivalries also resurface in the European Union Cup, renewing the clash between Ya Dar (Cracksman) and Power Of Beauty (Slade Power), while Ospina partners Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo) for the White Stable. Formerly with Brad Cox, Star Of Wonder comes off a win in the Public Security Cup over Final Destination (Havana Grey), Waqtuk, Power Of Beauty and Ya Dar, emerging as one of the meeting’s standout attractions.

Among the Purebred Arabians, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Sword (G3, SAR 900,000, 1600m) features Najeeb Alzaman (Hilal Al Zaman)—a UAE President Cup winner—seeking his 11th victory from 16 starts after accounting for Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah (Laith Al Khalediah).

The domestic Group 1 block opens with the King Fahad Cup (SAR 800,000), where Murphy rides Mutakamilah(Mucho Gusto), heroine of the Princess Setah Bint Fahad Aldamer Cup. The King Khaled Cup (1800m) then sees Badr Alsamawi (Mucho Gusto) step up in class off a Ministry of Justice Cup success, while Motathabetah (Premium Tap) arrives on the back of a seven-length rout in the Ministry of Defense Cup.

Friday adds another domestic Group 1 with the King Abdullah Cup (1600m, SAR 800,000). The White Stable fields four, including Maeyeey (Commend) with Murphy—seeking a perfect three-for-three—and Al Aas (Commend) with Ospina, fresh off victory in the HRH Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Cup. De Sousa will guide Nayaad (Good Magic) for the Red Stable and also holds strong chances in the domestic Group 2s (SAR 700,000) aboard Ameerat Alzamaan (Ghaiyyath) in the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Cup and Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief) in the Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Cup.

With rich purses, a wide range of categories, and world-class riding talent, Riyadh sets the stage for a high-voltage weekend, reaffirming its status as a winter hub for regional and international racing.