Plus there's the little matter of 2 8-figure dollar races and some pretty purses to go with them.
The Japanese came here in force last year and had an astounding day and they are back in strength this year. The Americans have brought back some old and new favourites and the locals are well-represented.
So we start off with the Neom Turf Cup G3 over 1800m and the UK market is headed by Missed the Cut 5/4 for George Boughey and Oisin Murphy. The stable – and the horse – have had an excellent year and that could well continue. The Gosdens have the Darley runner Mostahdaf with Jim Crowley riding. Sir Busker is back and at 6/1 and we are adding the Godolphin bin Suroor White Moonlight 12/1.
The turf sprint over 1400m is for 4y+ and it is looking very much a "made in Japan" race with Songline on 9/4 to defend her title and Lemaire confident. Bathrat Leon is on 4/1 and Resistencia, the mount of Ryan Moore, 6/1. However when there is a sprint there is an American to be wary of – in this case Casa Creed 9/1 for Bill Mott and Luis Saez.
The Red Sea turf is over 3000m G3 for 4y+. Silver Sonic is coming down in trip and will be partnered by Damian Lane and is 3/1. Trawlerman, who won the Ebor, has Dettori riding for the Gosdens. A really interesting Japanese runner is Echt, by Rulership, who is lightly raced and looked last time out as if he could run for ever. Kawada rides and 5/1. Subjectivist is an amazing horse who is coming back after 20 months off with a tendon injury however Mark Johnston is a vet and knows what he is doing. 11/2 the quote, Joe Fanning the jockey.
The Derby looks good for the local My Map who is undefeated in 5 runs and won the prep for this. Bob Baffert is shipping Havenameltdown who will be going up in trip when he tackles this 1600m race and while his racing has been at shorter distances he should be able to take the step up. Dettori to ride. From the Japanese group Continuar Yahagi-Sakae looks promising. Can't find any prices for this race.
The Dirt Sprint over 1200m is very much a US v Japan event with the US sending Gunite 9/4 and Elite Power 11/4 and Japan Dancing Prince who won this in 2022 and will be in the hands of Damian Lanes and Remake with Fukunaga on board. We hear Fukunaga is to retire after Saudi. More on that anon. Both Japanese runners on 4/1.
And then the Cup itself. Over 1800m – we haven't worked out how much the prize money is over the trip but that's for later! Bob Baffert sent Country Grammer here last year and he ran second before going on to win the Dubai World Cup, and he sent a stablemate Taiba who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori. People are leaning towards Taiba for the win but we don't think there is much between them. Emblem Road won this last year at huge odds and will not be allowed to get away with those prices this year so it looks like 8/1. The Japanese contingent should not be overlooked. Crown Pride was just defeated by Jun Light Bolt who put in a great finishing run whereas Crown Pride had been leading in the straight. JLB is on 12/1, Crown Pride will have the benefit of Damian Lane in the irons. Café Pharoah is on 16/1 and Panthalassa also on that quote so you can have fun with the multiples!
