Royal Champion Proves His Class In Neom Turf Cup

KARL BURKE’S RUNNER SCORES WITH EASE FOR OISIN MURPHY

Image: Royal Champion (IRE) flies clear in the Group 1 USD$3m Neom Turf Cup Presented by Howden. Credit: JCSA // Mathea Kelley

Karl Burke’s astonishingly progressive 8-year-old Royal Champion (IRE) secured his second straight victory and easily his biggest yet in the Group 1 USD$3m Neom Turf Cup Presented by Howden.

Japanese filly Yamanin Bouclier (JPN) jumped quickly and set the pace, while Royal Champion was settled in fourth position under Oisin Murphy.

With 600m remaining, the son of Shamardal was guided a bit wide to find a clear path and quickened home with a remarkable turn of foot, clearing away in the last 200m for a decisive victory.

A winner of the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in November, he reached the summit in this newly upgraded event in truly impressive style for his British-based trainer, easing four and three-quarter lengths clear in a time of 2:06.221.

It was a poignant moment as Royal Champion’s acclaimed owner-breeder, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, died late last year. Mickael Barzalona riding Facteur Cheval (IRE) finished second with Survie (IRE) and Ryan Moore in third.

Quotes

Karl Burke, trainer, Royal Champion, 1st: “It was superb. He’s a very forward-going horse, he’s quite keen at home - he’s not a runaway but we just wanted him to get in a nice rhythm behind a decent pace. Once he gets a bit of cover he just travels lovely and Oisin has pulled it off fantastically well. I was so confident once he was turning in in that position. He’s a horse with a turn of foot who keeps galloping and stays the trip really well. So absolutely delighted.

“He’s been accepted for Dubai [Turf], but I’ll have to speak to the guys at Darley and see what we do. It’s an obvious race for him, I think the drop back a furlong [200m] wouldn’t do him any harm. We’ll see. A lot of it will be up to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s family. Our thoughts are with his family. We’ll hopefully keep the show on the road for a little while yet.”

Oisin Murphy, jockey, Royal Champion: “He was amazing. I feel really sorry for Clifford Lee, Karl Burke’s stable jockey, who is recovering from an injury at the moment. Karl came here with a lot of confidence and the horse was excellently prepared and push-button. This is a very big race, god rest His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and I’m glad his horses are still carrying on his legacy.”

Mickael Barzalona, jockey, Facteur Cheval, 2nd: “He’s a horse who’s run mostly over a mile and today again this horse was one of the fastest because of that. He broke running and travelled very well. He’s an older and mature horse who knows his job and he just did it again - a huge performance.”

Ryan Moore, jockey, Survie, 3rd: “She ran well. I’m getting to know her, she ran a really good race.”

**ENDS**