Al Haram Flies Late For Famous Saudi Derby Success

INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS COULD AWAIT RICARDO FERREIRA’S MOUNT

Image: Al Haram (IRE) and Ricardo Ferreira win the Group 3 USD$1.5m Saudi Derby Presented by ZOOD Realty. Credit: JCSA // Mathea Kelley

The Group 3 USD$1.5m Saudi Derby Presented by ZOOD Realty was won in dramatic style by Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah’s Al Haram (IRE) as he confirmed himself a colt with a very bright future.

American raider Obliteration (USA), trained by Steve Asmussen, broke sharply from gate 7 and set the early pace, with Satono Voyage (JPN) tracking comfortably on his outside.

Keita Tosaki then guided the Japanese runner Satono Voyage to the front at the top of the stretch but Obliteration battled back along the rail and the race appeared set for a thrilling head-to-head duel between the pair.

However, Al Haram, who had been tracking in mid-division toward the rear, finished sharply and caught them both inside the final 50m to secure victory by a length and a quarter.

Ridden by Ricardo Ferreira, Al Haram stopped the clock in 1:38.453. The unbeaten colt is now four-from-four and could be set for an international campaign.

Quotes

Ricardo Ferreira, jockey, Al Haram, 1st: “It was very special because I think this horse is the best one I have ridden in my life. The stable have done a really good job. This horse has improved race by race. He wants a little more distance. I think he’s better with 2000m but this was the goal for this weekend, to win this race. He doesn’t jump well but he comes step by step.

“When we came outside in the stretch, he was amazing. I thought I could win for the last 400m. It’s a dream, and I hope I can get more winners for the stable. It has been a brilliant campaign here in Riyadh.”

Sheikh Faisal Al Sabah, son of Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, owner’s representative, Al Haram: “He’s a champion, he’s an amazing horse. From the beginning here in Saudi Arabia he’s been fascinating us.

“He showed his class today and hopefully the next stop the UAE Derby. Hopefully he is good enough to be in the Kentucky Derby, he’s a very good horse.”

Joel Rosario, jockey, Obliteration, 2nd: “I thought I had him, my horse fought back inside, but then that horse came from out of the clouds.”

Scott Blasi, assistant trainer, Obliteration: “It was a really good effort. Kind of took the worst of it and really finished on well. I’m super proud of him.”

Keita Tosaki, jockey, Satono Voyage, 3rd: “He ran just as we planned, and his rhythm was good throughout.”

Oisin Murphy, jockey, Wonder Dean, 4th: “He ran very well. A career best and he’ll improve going further. He might go to Dubai.”

**ENDS**