2025 Saudi Cup: Horses, Trainers, Jockeys, Post Positions

Meet the field for the 2025 Saudi Cup, including horses, trainers, jockeys, and post positions.

Post 1 - Al Musmak (IRE)

Trainer: Thamer Aldaihani

Jockey: Muhammad Aldaham

Last three starts: First, Allowance Race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse; Sixth, Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Gr. 3), Goodwood; First, Sir Henry Cecil Stakes, Newmarket

Need to know: Sports a 4-2-0 record through nine career starts. Al Musmak has performed well at the Stakes tier but struggled at the Group stage (finishes of second, seventh, seventh, sixth).

Post 2 - Defunded

Trainer: Abdulaziz Mashref

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Last three starts: First, Allowance Race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse; Fifth, Allowance Race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse; Seventh, Dubai World Cup (Gr. 1), Meydan Racecourse

Need to know: A star on the North American circuit (seven wins, including four graded stakes, for $2.3 million in earnings), Defunded is still getting used to racing away from home (one win in four starts across King Abdulaziz and Meydan Racecourses).

Post 3 - El Kodigo (ARG)

Trainer: Abdulaziz Mashref

Jockey: Gustavo Calvente

Last three starts: First, Gran Premio Jose P. Ramirez (Gr. 1), Maronas; Second, Carlos Pellegrini – Internacional (Gr. 1), San Isidro; First, Copa de Oro – Alfredo Lalor (Gr. 1), San Isidro

Need to know: Described by jockey Gustavo Calvente as the “best horse” he’s ever ridden, El Kodigo drops to 1 1/8 miles for the Saudi Cup coming off his Ramirez win at 1 1/2 miles.

Post 4 - Facteur Cheval (IRE)

Trainer: Jerome Reynier

Jockey: Mickael Barzalona

Last three starts: Third, Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr. 1), Meydan Racecourse; Second, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr. 1), Ascot; Third, Qatar Sussex Stakes (Gr. 1), Goodwood

Need to know: A turf titan with over $4.3 million in earnings to his name, Facteur Cheval switches to dirt for the Saudi Cup. He showed well on the dirt in his tune-up outing (Al Maktoum).

Post 5 - Forever Young (JPN)

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

Last three starts: First, Tokyo Daishoten (Gr. 1), Oi; Third, Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Del Mar; First, Japan Dirt Classic, Oi

Need to know: Victorious in seven of nine lifetime starts, Forever Young has shown a knack for hanging with the best and brightest Thoroughbreds around the globe (never finished below third).

Post 6 - Intense for Me (ARG)

Trainer: Abdulaziz Mashref

Jockey: Camillo Ospina

Last three starts: First, Carlos Pellegrini – Internacional (Gr. 1), San Isidro; Third, Copa de Oro – Alfredo Lalor (Gr. 1), San Isidro; Third, General San Martin (Gr. 1), Hipodromo Argentino De Palermo

Need to know: The Saudi Cup will mark Intense for Me’s first start outside his native Argentina. He edged fellow Argentinian star El Kodigo in the Pellegrini last time out on Dec. 14

Post 7 - Ramjet (JPN)

Trainer: Shozo Sasaki

Jockey: Kosei Miura

Last three starts: Third, Tokyo Daishoten (Gr. 1), Oi; Fourth, Japan Dirt Classic, Oi; First, Tokyo Derby, Oi

Need to know: Standing at 5-0-2 through nine lifetime starts, Ramjet’s career-best effort came last June in a 6-length Tokyo Derby score.

Post 8 - Rattle N Roll

Trainer: Kenneth McPeek

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Last three starts: First, Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques Cip (Gr. 3), King Abdulaziz Racecourse; First, Clark Stakes (G2), Churchill Downs; Third, Lukas Classic (G3), Churchill Downs

Need to know: The only US competitor in the field, Rattle N Roll was a force on home soil (nine wins, six graded). He carried that momentum into January’s Two Holy Mosques (Saudi Cup Qualifier), drawing clear by 4 ¾ lengths.

Post 9 - Romantic Warrior (IRE)

Trainer: Danny Shum

Jockey: James McDonald

Last three starts: First, Jebel Hatta (Gr. 1), Meydan Racecourse; First, Hong Kong Cup (Gr. 1), Sha Tin; First, Bochk Jockey Club Cup (Gr. 2), Sha Tin

Need to know: Purchased for under $400,000 as a yearling, Romantic Warrior has banked nearly $23 million across 23 starts and 18 wins. He rides into the Saudi Cup amidst an eight-race win streak (seven Group 1, one Group 2).

Post 10 - Ushba Tesoro (JPN)

Trainer: Noboru Takagi

Jockey: Akira Sugawara

Last three starts: Fourth, Tokyo Daishoten (Gr. 1), Oi; Tenth, Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Del Mar; Second, Nippon TV Hai, Funabashi

Need to know: A veteran racer with 37 starts to his name, Ushba Tesoro has compiled over $16.5 million in total earnings. His last victory came on Dec. 29, 2023 in the Tokyo Daishoten (five starts since).  

Post 11 - Wait to Excel (GB)

Trainer: Thamer Aldaihani

Jockey: Adel Alfouraidi

Last three starts: Second, Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse; Fourth, King Saud Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse; First, Allowance Race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse

Need to know: Wait to Excel has yet to break through in a top-class contest but has performed well for a horse with a $44,677 price tag at auction ($249,024 banked across 16 starts).

Post 12 - Walk of Stars (GB)

Trainer: Bhupat Seemar

Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea

Last three starts: First, Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr. 1), Meydan Racecourse; First, The Entisar, Meydan Racecourse; Second, Dubai Creek Mile, Meydan Racecourse

Need to know: Heads into the Saudi Cup in fine form after claiming consecutive dashes, namely the Al Maktoum on Jan. 24. He will be making his first start at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

Post 13 - Wilson Tesoro (JPN)

Trainer: Noburo Takagi

Jockey: Yuga Kawada

Last three starts: Second, Tokyo Daishoten (Gr. 1), Oi; Second, Champions Cup (Gr. 1), Chukyo; First, JBC Classic, Saga

Need to know: A steady diet of four second place finishes in his last five starts (1-4-0 record) has Wilson Tesoro on the right path, but he’ll need to dig much deeper come Saturday.

Post 14 - Wootton’sun (FR)

Trainer: Abdullah Al Kahtani

Jockey: Ricardo Ferreira

Last three starts: Third, Custodian Of The Holy Mosques Cup (Gr. 3), King Abdulaziz Racecourse; First, Crown Prince Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse; Second, Allowance race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse

Need to know: Enters after being also-eligible. Wootton’sun is 2-1-1 in six starts since joining the Saudi circuit in January 2024. Overall, he is 5-5-5 through 26 appearances.

Post 15 - Scotland Yard

Trainer: Nicholas Bachalard

Jockey: Luis Morales

Last three starts: Fourteenth, Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques Cup (Gr. 3), King Abdulaziz Racecourse; First, Allowance race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse; First, Allowance race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse

Need to know: Latest entry after being also-eligible. Scotland Yard will try to avenge a 13th in last year's Saudi Cup, but faces a difficult draw following a tough 14th in the qualifier on Jan. 25. 

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Woodbine Entertainment Group. Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

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