RIYADH: Early morning rain and grey skies slowly gave way to sunshine as the lucky few who attended the opening day of the 2021 Saudi Cup made their way to King Abdul Aziz Racecourse on the outskirts of Riyadh.
And for the second year running the International Jockeys Challenge was a worthy and exciting curtain-raiser to the world’s most valuable horse race on Saturday.
In particular, it proved memorable for overall winner Shane Foley, while Saudi jockey Adel Alfouraidi came in second, with veteran American Mike Smith third.
#WATCH: @arabnews @AliKhaled with a round-up of day one action at King Abdulaziz Racetrack and the International Jockeys Challenge curtain-raiser to Saturday s @thesaudicup More here: https://t.co/ouhkQSNeBX#SaudiArabia#SaudiCup2021pic.twitter.com/7Tpo6YBuCp
Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey recalls Dubai World Cup glory ahead of race’s 25th anniversary
The American rode Cigar to victory at Nad Al-Sheba in what was the worlds’s richest race in 1996
Updated 23 March 2021
March 23, 2021 20:54
DUBAI: Jerry Bailey felt like he had struck Olympic gold when he won the inaugural Dubai World Cup on Cigar.
The American horse had been wooed to compete in the new race as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice president of the UAE, attracted talent befitting what was then the world’s richest race at $4 million.
Cigar, with Hall of Fame jockey Bailey on board, did not disappoint as he thrilled the hordes gathered at Nad Al-Sheba with a historic victory for owner Allen Paulson and trainer Bill Mott.