DUBAI: The 2023 Saudi Cup has attracted over 1,400 entries, with horses from 22 countries looking to participate at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh from Feb. 24 – 25.
Participants, which include 600 entries from overseas, are seeking a share of the $35.35 million prize.
The two-day meeting will see horses from Japan, US and UAE dominate the entries and a strong representation from the UK, Ireland, Argentina, France, and Germany.
Five Group 3 races feature at the two-day meeting, alongside the world’s most valuable race, the $20 million Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m).
“Once again we’re delighted with the depth of the international entries, from 22 different countries across five continents, which goes to show the reputation and global standing The Saudi Cup meeting has quickly established after just three years,” said Tom Ryan, Racing Advisor to the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
Emblem Road (USA), the locally-owned and trained winner of the 2022 Saudi Cup, is set to defend his title.
A second win for Emblem Road would make him the highest earning Thoroughbred in history with $20.2 million, ahead of Australian wondermare Winx who totalled $18.3 million by the end of her career.
A total of 47 Group 1 winners could be set to take part in the competition, including 2022 Saudi Cup runner-up and 2022 Dubai World Cup winner, Country Grammer (USA), and Taiba (USA), a three-time Grade 1 winner.
The UAE has the second-highest rated entry for The Saudi Cup in the shape of Charlie Appleby’s Rebel’s Romance (IRE), an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf when last seen.
Meanwhile, Japan’s bid for a first Saudi Cup could be led by the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Panthalassa (JPN) and Tetsuya Kimura’s Geoglyph (JPN). Jun Light Bolt (JPN) holds an automatic entry after winning the Group 1 Champions Cup at Chukyo in December.
“Last year’s meeting could not have been more successful, with Emblem Road making history by becoming the first Saudi Arabian-trained winner of The Saudi Cup. There was also the remarkable success of Japanese horses, who took home four Group races, and the strength of the Japanese entry has continued to grow this year”, said Ryan.
Laws of Indeces (IRE) becomes the first Australian horse to enter The Saudi Cup, after being nominated by Sydney-based trainer Annabel Neasham.
There’s also a strong entry from Europe and South America, with potential runners including Group 1 winners Saffron Beach (IRE), Order Of Australia (IRE) and the Maria Muñoz-trained Niño Guapo (ARG).
Another feature on the first day of the meeting is the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap, a race designed for horses trained in countries that are not in Part I of the IFHA’s Blue Book.
Possible entries include horses from 11 countries: Czech Republic, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, as well as a potential first Portuguese-trained runner.
The 2023 Saudi Cup sees over 1,400 entries from 22 countries
https://arab.news/6at6q
The 2023 Saudi Cup sees over 1,400 entries from 22 countries
- The two-day meeting will see horses from Japan, US and UAE dominate the entries
- A total of 47 Group 1 winners could be set to take part in the competition
International stars set for 2025 Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo
- 6 teams to take part in the second edition of the event at Al-Fursan Equestrian Village
ALULA: The 2025 Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo — the world’s first organised desert polo tournament — returns this month for its second edition, promising world-class sport, entertainment and cultural activities.
Organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla in partnership with the Saudi Polo Federation, the event takes place on Jan. 17-18 at Al-Fursan Equestrian Village.
Friday’s action begins at 1:30 p.m. with three matches. Following a 30-minute period of surface leveling, which includes live entertainment, three more matches will be played in the late afternoon, starting from 3:45 p.m. The day concludes with a networking meet-and-greet session.
Saturday sees the wooden spoon match between the bottom two of the six teams, at 12:30 p.m., and this will be followed by the subsidiary final at 2:15 p.m. and the main final at 4 p.m.
An awards ceremony to crown the champions and issue prizes will then end the event.
This year’s tournament features a lineup of some of polo’s finest players, led by Adolfo Cambiaso, the founder of the famed La Dolfina team and widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Cambiaso will be joined in AlUla by his children Adolfo “Poroto” Cambiaso Jr. and Mia Cambiaso, while Pablo Mac Donough, Nacho Figueras, and Milly Hine complete the accomplished roster of professionals.
The six teams — AlUla, Richard Mille, Bentley, Budget SA, Dadan, and Ikmah — will be supplemented by international patrons, with Sarah Siegel Magness, Ploy Bhinsaeng, Mohammed El-Sewedy, Miguel Morel, Phillip Muller, and Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi all confirmed as participants. A distinguished group of royal patrons will also compete in the event.
The venue opens at noon with visitors having the opportunity to explore Al-Fursan Village while live performances, interactive entertainment, and special cultural experiences are taking place. Children can also enjoy the Kids Zone, which boasts a range of activities and games.
Pakistan fined, docked 5 points for slow over rate against South Africa
- Pakistan was ruled to be five overs short of target after time allowances were taken into consideration
- South Africa swept Pakistan 2-0 in the series with a 10-wicket win inside four days in the second Test
DUBAI: The ICC has fined Pakistan players 25 percent of their match fee and also docked the team five World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the second Test at Newlands.
South Africa, which will take on Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s in June, swept Pakistan 2-0 in the series with a 10-wicket win inside four days in the second Test.
The ICC said in a statement that match referee Richie Richardson of the West Indies imposed the sanction after “Pakistan was ruled to be five overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.”
According to the ICC code of conduct, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. The teams are also penalized one WTC point for each over short.
The ICC also said that Pakistan captain Shan Masood accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing.
Pakistan is at No. 8 in the points table just above last-placed West Indies.
Inter Milan coach maintains optimism despite Italian Supercup loss
- Simone Inzaghi working to regain ‘focus’ as team look to the future
RIYADH: Inter Milan will focus on boosting morale for future games following defeat in the Italian Supercup, Simone Inzaghi, the club’s manager told Arab News on Monday.
AC Milan secured a 3-2 comeback victory over city rivals Inter Milan at Riyadh’s Alawwal Park on Monday.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Inzaghi said: “We should work on motivating the players and the fans. Cheering them up and boosting their morale.
“Defeat is a hard feeling I know but we should work on regaining conscience and focus. We wanted to win the title, but it is what it is.”
Prior to the derby, Arab News interviewed devoted AC Milan fans.
Waleed Alahmed said: “Milan is going to win because of their new manager, (Sergio) Conceicao. I think his way of playing is very good and if (winger Rafael) Leao is there, Milan is going to win.”
After just one week at the helm, Conceicao has now earned his first trophy.
The hosting of the 37th Italian Supercup aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Quality of Life program and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. It is a part of the country’s plan to continue hosting major global sporting events.
The Ministry of Sports organized the event, which was hosted by the Kingdom for the fifth time.
UK politicians urge England to boycott cricket match against Afghanistan in Pakistan
- Over 160 politicians sign letter urging England stand against Taliban regime’s restrictions on women’s rights
- England are scheduled to play against Afghanistan in Pakistan’s Lahore on Feb. 26 in a Champions Trophy clash
LONDON: England should refuse to play the Champions Trophy cricket match against Afghanistan next month according to a letter signed by more than 160 UK politicians. The politicians want the England and Wales Cricket Board to take a stand against the Taliban regime’s assault on women’s rights and boycott the men’s one-day international against Afghanistan in Lahore, Pakistan, on Feb. 26.
Female participation in sport has effectively been outlawed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, a move that puts the Afghanistan Cricket Board in contravention of International Cricket Council rules.
Because Afghanistan’s men are still allowed to compete by the ICC, a strongly worded letter has emerged from the UK parliament pleading for the ECB to make its own moral objection.
Penned by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi and signed by a cross-party group from the House of Commons and House of Lords including Nigel Farage and Jeremy Corbyn, it raises the “insidious dystopia” unfolding in Afghanistan.
The statement, addressed to ECB chief executive Richard Gould, concludes: “We strongly urge the England men’s team players and officials to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban.
“We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan... to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated.
“We must stand against sex apartheid and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked.”
Gould issued a swift response, reaffirming ECB principles while suggesting it favored a uniform approach from all member nations rather than acting alone.
“The ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime,” he said.
“The ICC constitution mandates that all member nations are committed to the growth and development of women’s cricket. In line with this commitment, the ECB has maintained its position of not scheduling any bilateral cricket matches against Afghanistan.
“A coordinated, ICC-wide approach would be significantly more impactful than unilateral actions by individual members.
“We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men’s cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban’s efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society.
It’s crucial to recognize the importance of cricket as a source of hope and positivity for many Afghans, including those displaced from the country.”
At the 2003 Cricket World Cup, England forfeited a game against Zimbabwe in protest at Robert Mugabe’s regime.
Forest tame Wolves to maintain unlikely Premier League title challenge
- Forest remain third in the table but move level on points with Arsenal
WOLVERHAMPTON, United Kingdom: Nottingham Forest’s stunning season continued with a 3-0 victory at Wolves on Monday to give manager Nuno Espirito Santo a winning return to Molineux.
England international Morgan Gibbs-White and the in-form Chris Wood struck before half-time to take Forest to within six points of leaders Liverpool, who they host in their next Premier League game.
Substitute Taiwo Awoniyi rounded off the scoring and a sixth consecutive win for Forest in stoppage time.
Defeat leaves Wolves outside the relegation zone only thanks to goal difference as they suffered a first defeat under new boss Vitor Pereira.
Forest remain third in the table but move level on points with Arsenal.
Even if a shock title challenge proves beyond Espirito Santo’s men, they are building up an impressive cushion in the race for Champions League football next season.
They are five points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle and six in front of struggling champions Manchester City in sixth.
A top-four finish would guarantee a return to the continent’s elite competition for the first time in 45 years for the two-time European champions.
However, fifth could also be good enough depending on how English club fare in European competition this season.
“We need to stay humble. We haven’t achieved anything yet, we need to work until the end and this can lead us to good moments,” said Espirito Santo.
Gibbs-White savoured his return to the club where he spent the early part of his career.
In front of the watching new England manager Thomas Tuchel, the midfielder did his case for further international recognition no harm with a cool finish from Antony Elanga’s pass.
Forest’s unexpected rise from battling relegation until the final day of last season into Champions League contenders has been build on a solid defense and Wood’s purple patch.
The New Zealand international turned in Callum Hudson-Odoi’s low cross for his 12th goal of the season to double the visitors’ lead just before half-time.
Wolves pressed and probed for a way back into the game after the break but were toothless in the absence of talisman Matheus Cunha through suspension.
Mats Sels was forced into one brilliant save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen to preserve a ninth clean sheet of the season and fourth in a row.
That solidity is familiar to Wolves fans from Espirito Santo’s time in charge of their club between 2017 and 2021.
The Portuguese coach led Wanderers from the Championship into Europe for the first time in 39 years.
Now after troubled spells at Tottenham and Saudi club Al-Ittihad, he is recreating that magic to leave Forest fans in dreamland.
“As coaching staff we have this natural ambition of improving the players, this is what we are obsessed with,” he added.
“If we improve the players then the team will improve and if the team improves then the club will improve and the city will be happy.”
