Frankie Out For Big Win On ‘Best Dirt Track In World’
Frankie Dettori will team up with last year’s runner-up Country Grammer at the $20 million Saudi Cup on what he calls “the best dirt track in the world.”
The 52-year-old jockey already celebrated a tremendous win on the American star when he landed at last year’s Dubai World Cup.
Emblem Road ridden by Panamanian jockey Wigberto Ramos wins the 2022 Saudi Cup
Now he has his sights set on the world’s most valuable race at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Saturday 25 February.
Dettori is currently riding in America as part of his farewell worldwide tour, having announced his intention to retire after a glittering career at this year’s Breeders’ Cup meeting in November.
His first US winner this winter came on Country Grammer, trained by Bob Baffert, when he landed the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes in Santa Anita on Boxing Day.
Dettori said: “The first day I came here to America to ride, he surprised me. There was a lot of pressure, there were 40,000 people here and he was a big favourite, so obviously I wanted the horse to win.
“He won in style and I was super happy with him. He still retains all the skills he had last year.
Country Grammer wins Dubai World Cup 2022 under Frankie Dettori
“Bob made it very clear to me that the Saudi Cup would be his next goal, so he didn’t ride the Pegasus. Touch Wood, at the moment all systems are announced for the Saudi Cup.”
Country Grammer was being ridden by Flavien Prat when he was passed by surprise winner Emblem Road at last year’s Saudi Cup.
Dettori kept a close eye on his American career for the remainder of the year. He was an interested spectator when the six-year-old finished a distant second to US superstar Flightline at the Group 1 Pacific Classic in September in Del Mar.
Dettori laughed, “I texted Bob Baffert after Flightline beat him 19 lengths and said, ‘That was a good run.’ He said to me, “Country Grammer thought he won because he never saw Flightline.”
“He’s a super consistent horse to be honest, he doesn’t let anything get in his way. He had a good season and it was always the goal to return to the Saudi Cup this year.
“He’s very direct. I think how the season went for him last year showed that he is very versatile and can also perform in other countries. He is very solid and I am very happy to be able to ride him.
“It’s still a few weeks and I’m hoping it gets shipped to Saudi Arabia in one piece. When you have a six-year-old you’re pretty confident that travel won’t be a problem, but he needs to bring his A-game and he needs to be a tough guy.”
Last year’s winner, Emblem Road, is expected to face Country Grammer again in the $20 million Saudi Cup. American raider Scotland Yard and British star filly Saffron Beach will also compete in the 1800m dirt prize, while Panthalassa is likely to lead a strong Japanese contingent.
Dettori believes Taiba, who was also trained by Baffert, may pose the biggest threat to his stablemate. He landed the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes in Santa Anita on Boxing Day when former British Champion Jockey landed last on underdog Perfect Flight.
He said, “Taiba has put on a great comeback run the other day and he’s got fresh legs with low mileage. He is one of the horses I would fear as he has a lot to give.”
It promises to be a busy weekend for Dettori. He expects to pick up more big races for Baffert in the supporting races on the Saudi Cup map, and he’ll partner Ebor hero Trawlerman in the $2.5 million Longines Red Sea handicap for the old allies John and Thay Gosden.
The superstar driver will also compete in the International Jockeys Challenge on day one of the world’s most valuable race meeting on Friday 24th February. He will join Brazilian star Joao Moreira and Japanese rider Yuga Kawada in the unique event, which will see seven of the world’s best male riders compete against seven top female jockeys.
A total of $35.35 million in prize money will be on offer during the two-day Saudi Cup festival, making it the most valuable race meeting in the world. It will all take place at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and Dettori couldn’t praise the course highly enough.
He said: “I’ve been going to Saudi Arabia for 30 years. I’m not just saying that because we’re talking about the Saudi Cup, I think this new track is the best dirt track in the world.
“It’s a beautiful layout and the sand isn’t as hard as some American tracks. Turf horses can do really well on it and it brings the two categories closer together.
“The Saudi Cup has established itself as one of the most important events on the racing calendar and I am really looking forward to it. The Jockeys Challenge gives me one last chance to ride with some great jockeys from around the world. It’s going to be great fun.”