Frankie Dettori will get his first trip fit in 2022 when he takes part in the inaugural run of the Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup in Saudi Arabia on January 8.
The 10 feathers contest will be held in honor of the great owner/breeder who passed away last January at the age of 83 and with whom Dettori had a long relationship through a partnership. effective with Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Allow .
Dettori is set to partner with former trained Andrew Balding Restore run in the turf competition, bringing in $266,000.
Recovery Run represents coach Allan Smith from Bahrain, who drives two in the field, and other ex-Europeans in the race including My Frankel, Cross Baton , and Fabilis, later the mount of Silvestre de Sousa.
Dettori said: “Prince Khalid Abdullah has done incredible things for equestrian sport and is delighted to be participating in the race that bears his name. For him it is no less Enable, who gave us all such incredible memories.”
He added: “I’ve been driving in Saudi Arabia for many years and the racing schedule out there is very strong right now. Of course, there’s the Saudi Cup (G1) meeting next month, but there’s a lot more. better racing with top prize money during winter making it an attractive choice for European racers.The turf is top class and the grass track is beautiful.It’s new every year, You really can’t fault it.
“Saturday’s Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Cup looks to be an interesting race, with lots of familiar names out there. As for my horse, Recovery Run, it won its last leg with 21 stage, so I’d like to think it played well.”
Salem Binmahfooz, racing director at the Cycling Club of Saudi Arabia, said: “The fact that the Cycling Club of Saudi Arabia held a memorial service for Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah at the racecourse. King Abdulaziz is the right thing.
“This race is our contribution in continuing the enormous global legacy left by Prince Khalid and it is considered by both his family and the JCSA to be very appropriate as it should be held on the road. our grass race and on the 2,100-meter track where he was the favorite of the famous famous horse.”
De Sousa not only brought home a mount at Saturday’s big race but is also set to ride in Saudi Arabia through the winter, after re-establishing an association with the land’s top owners. water, Prince Faisal.
De Sousa said: “I will be flying to Saudi Arabia on Thursday where I will mainly be riding for Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz and his family for the next few months. It is an honor to be asked and I’m looking forward to spending time out there.”
