Alban de Mieulle’s Qatar-based squad came out on top once again in Saudi Arabia as King Shalaa (FR) claimed a tight finish to the US$500k NHC Saudi International Handicap.
The French-born trainer is a familiar figure from a long spell in the Middle East and he already had a magnificent moment at The Saudi Cup meeting in 2022, winning two prizes including this race when King Shalaa had finished runner-up to Lauderdale in a famous one-two.
It was stablemate Silawi (IRE), also carrying the colours of the emerging Wathnan Racing operation, who had looked the most likely winner for much of the 2100m turf event, with Mickael Barzalona dictating proceedings and looking to have more up his sleeve as the field turned for home.
His stamina began to ebb as the metres past and Faleh Bughanaim’s mount, who had been settled in midfield, burst through the pack to come home a length and a quarter ahead of an unlucky-looking My Frankel (GB), who had been third in 2022. Silawi held on for third with King Shalaa clocking a time of 2:07.15
About Author
More Posts
Race Promotions And Increased Prize Money Boosts For 2025 Saudi Cup Event
Senor Buscador Strikes Gold In The Saudi Cup
Tower Of London Puts Longines Red Sea Turf In Safe Keeping