Al Khalediah Stables Complete Another Famous Double

Image caption: Asfan Al Khalediah was an impressive winner under Abdullah Alawfi. Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Ali Al-Abdullah

Naser Mutlaq’s grey demonstrates versatility in Obaiyah Classic

Saturday 24 February 2024 - Horses bred by the Al Khalediah Stables continued to dominate the 2024 The Saudi Cup meeting after the family-owned Asfan Al Khalediah (KSA) added the US$2m Diriyah Gate Development Authority Obaiyah Arabian Classic to his growing record.

A winner of last year’s Ministry of Culture Al Mneefah Cup, he follows his stable companion Tilal Al Khalediah’s hoof steps by taking this valuable prize on The Saudi Cup night.

Ridden by Abdullah Alawfi, the grey son of Laith Al Khalediah and Mistahilat Al Khalidiah was given a good lead first by stablemate Saloum Al Khalediah (KSA) and then brother Qaswarat Al Khalediah before he started to edge closer off the final bend. When they turned for home, he quickened easily and needed little encouragement to put the 2000m race to bed in 2:13.72.

Four and a quarter lengths behind the Naser Mutlaq trained champion, the Sami Almutairi trained Vizhir (FR), who at the age of four was the youngster in this race, finished second, while Najeeb Al Zaman (FR) just missed second place by a nose. Of the foreign raiders, the Elisabeth Bernard trained Vica Grine (FR) finished best in fifth place.

It was a weekend to remember for trainer Naser Mutlaq who now has two champions in his yard who are equally as impressive on dirt as on turf.

Quotes

Abdullah Alawfi, jockey, Asfan Al Khalediah, 1st: "He’s a champion horse like every jockey wants to ride. I’m so lucky.

I never lose on him and I hope I never lose in the future. What a day this is. I was happy for Adel Alfouraidi that he won the race yesterday [on Tilal Al Khalediah] and I hope that we can win many more races together in the future. The horse likes 2000m and the last 200m he flew like a champion. I’ve no words to say anything else, I’m so thrilled."

Naser Mutlaq, trainer, 1st: "Last year he was running on turf and it was really good. This year, switched to dirt, we knew he could and he’s an amazing horse to do both. The jockey knows this horse very well and has been riding this horse for two years so it was easy for us."

Muhammad Aldaham,Vizhir, 2nd: "Very good run to finish second. The winner is just too good.”

Camillo Ospina of Najeeb Al Zaman, 3rd: "To finish third was a good race for him."

Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Vica Grine, 5th: "I could not follow the pace at the beginning of the race, but he took action at the last turn and he finished well. I am very happy."

Adrie de Vries, Hiab Al Zaman, 6th: "Those in the placings were a different class to him, but he stuck on well for sixth."

**ENDS**