Al Haram (IRE) and Ricardo Ferreira win the Group 3 Saudi Derby, USD$1.5 million, presented by ZOOD Realty, Credit: JCSA // Mathea Kelley
Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia
The USD$1.5 million Group 3 Saudi Derby presented by ZOOD Realty was won in dramatic fashion by Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah’s Al Haram (IRE) as he confirmed he was a colt with a very bright future.
American robber Destruction (US)trained by Steve Asmussen, broke sharply from gate 7 and set the early pace, with Satono Voyage (JPN) following comfortably on his outside.
Keita Tosaki then led Japanese runner Satono Voyage to the front at the top of the section, but Obliteration battled back down the rail and the race looked set for a thrilling head-to-head battle between the pair.
However, Al Haram, who were trailing in the mid-range, finished sharply and caught them both inside the final 50 meters to secure victory by a length and a quarter.
Under Ricardo Ferreira, Al Haram stopped the clock in 1:38.453. The unbeaten colt is now four-for-four and could be ready for an international campaign.
Quotes
Ricardo Ferreira, jockey, Al Haram, 1st: “It was very special because I think this horse is the best I have ridden in my life. The stable has done very well. This horse has improved race after race. He wants a little more distance. I think he is better in the 2000 meters, but this was the goal for this weekend, to win this race. He is not jumping well, but he is coming step by step.”
“When we got out in the stretch he was great. I thought I could win the last 400 meters. It’s a dream and I hope I can get more winners for the stable. It’s been a brilliant campaign here in Riyadh.”
Sheikh Faisal Al Sabah, son of Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, representative of the owner, Al Haram: “He is a champion, he is a great horse. He has fascinated us from the beginning here in Saudi Arabia.
“He showed his class today and hopefully next stop in the UAE Derby. Hopefully he is good enough to compete in the Kentucky Derby, he is a very good horse.”
Joel Rosario, jockey, Obliteration, 2nd: “I thought I had it, my horse fought back in, but then that horse came out of the clouds.”
Scott Blasi, assistant coach at Obliteration: “It was a really good effort. I took the worst of it and finished really well. I’m super proud of him.”
Keita Tosaki, jockey, Satono Voyage, 3rd: “He ran exactly as we planned, and his rhythm was good the entire time.”
Oisin Murphy, jockey, Wonder Dean, 4th: “He ran very well. A career that is the best and he will get even better as he continues. He might go to Dubai.”
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