Kingmaker takes the crown once again in Al Mneefah Cup

Purebred Arabian star retains Group 1 title under Cristian Demuro

Image: Cristian Demuro and RB Kingmaker (USA) win the Group 1 USD$1.5m Al Mneefah Cup Presented by Ministry of Culture. Credit: JCSA // Ali Ali Zenaidi

Image link: https://www.jcsa.sa/globalassets/jcsa/images/news/202060213_rs43487_rb-kingmaker.jpg

Cristian Demuro and RB Kingmaker (USA) win the Group 1 USD$1.5m Al Mneefah Cup Presented by Ministry of Culture. Credit: JCSA // Ali Ali Zenaidi

Friday February 13, 2026 – RB Kingmaker (USA) scored a memorable double when he lifted the Purebred Arabian Group 1 USD$1.5m Al Mneefah Cup Presented by Ministry of Culture for the second consecutive year.

Beaten into third place on his last start in Abu Dhabi, the Helal Nasser A Alalawi-owned 7-year-old son of Baseq Al Khalediah and RB Royale Madame was definitely back to his best when he returned to the King Abdulaziz Racecourse where he had celebrated the biggest success of his career only 12 months earlier.

Ridden patiently by Italian-born jockey Cristian Demuro, he travelled in third position on the rail for most of the 2100m race.

When they turned into the final straight, he was boxed in for a short moment, but once he had the opening, he kicked clear. The Mickael Barzalona-partnered RB Mary Lylah (USA) tried valiantly to keep up with him but after a short battle to the line had to accept defeat.

Half a length separated the first two in a winning time of 2:21.556, while French raider Lacaro Du Croate (FR) finished a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Quotes

Cristian Demuro, jockey, RB Kingmaker, 1st: “He proved again that he is a champion. I knew that he has a lot of speed. I know him by heart. Last time out it didn’t really work out for him. He needs pace in a race, a lead. And I knew that he would get that here. Today, I had the leader just in front of me.

"There was a little bit of traffic, but I knew once the road opened up, he would burst clear. He is a great horse and to win here is always special. And to win a Purebred Arabian race with the same horse is rather special and not something that happens all the time. I am very grateful to the team to give me the opportunity to ride him.”

Mickael Barzalona, RB Mary Lylah 2nd: “She ran very well. It was a perfect race for her but the winner is probably a different class to be able to come past.”

Dylan Browne McMonagle, Lacaro Du Croate, 3rd: “She ran well. Two very good horses beat her. It's very hard to make up ground on the track tonight. So I was in a good position. I was very happy all the way, she ran a super race.”

Ricardo Ferreira, jockey, Chagall Al Maury, 4th: “The horse improves a lot race by race. I am happy with fourth in big race. He is still a baby horse, and I hope he can improve.”

***ENDS***