RIYADH: Saudi longshot Emblem Road came from behind to claim a shock win in the world's richest horserace, the $20 million Saudi Cup, in Riyadh on Saturday.
The outsider, ridden by Panamanian jockey Wigberto Ramos, stormed up the outside in the home straight to win a five-horse sprint by a head from US trainer Bob Baffert's Country Grammer.
Saudi-based Ramos and owner Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz were jubilant afterwards as they were surrounded by fans celebrating the 1,800m race's first Saudi winner in its third edition.
The $10 million first prize capped a lavish, two-day meeting at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt track where 240 horses from 16 countries competed for a total purse of $35.1 million.
Earlier, Christophe Lemaire rode four Japanese winners in the Neom Turf Cup, the Turf Sprint, the Red Sea Turf Handicap and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
American trainer Baffert, who is battling doping charges after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive last May, won the Saudi Derby with Pinehurst.
Follow all the coverage below. (All times GMT)
18:45 - Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was in Riyadh for the third edition of the Saudi Cup.
17:40 - RESULT - Wow! Emblem Road shocks the field to win the big one! Saudi Cup winner 2022...
17:00 - Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of Stay Foolish, who won the third race of the day said: “I have been a trainer for a long time and this is one of my happiest moments.
“I thought before he could win, absolutely. I knew he was training well so we had some confidence before the race. He is a one-paced sort of horse so this distance of 3000m must help him.
“To lead was one of our tactics and I depend on Christophe [Lemaire] to decide what is best in the race; I trust him. It is a great day for Japanese racing, proving how strong it is. Looking forward, I hope we can go to Australia for the Melbourne Cup later in the year.”
(Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia // Douglas de Felice)
16:30 - In the penultimate race of the day on the dirt, Dancing Prince takes the honors, and Good Effort claims second with Chain Of Love third.
16:00 - We're getting closer to the big race, but in the Saudi Derby Pinehurst takes the glory, with Sekifu in second and Consigliere in third.
15:30 - In the Obaiya Arabian Classic, Hadi De Carrere takes first, with Tilal Al Khalediah in second and RB Rich Lyke Me third.
15:00 - Aan Alawaan takes first, Okku second and Kather third in The Jockey Club Local Handicap, in race four.
Meanwhile, Stay Foolish took first, SonnyBoyListon second and Siskany third in The Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, in race our thrird race of the day.
13:30 - In the second race of the day, Songline comes home first, Casa Creed in second and Happy Romance third in The 1351 Turf Sprint.
13:00 - Authority takes first, Kaspar second and Ebairya third in The Neom Turf Cup, our first race of the day.
* With AFP
