Global Speedsters Set for Riyadh: The 2026 1351 Turf Sprint
- Archie Brookes
- 2 days ago
- 11 min read
By Archie Brookes (@abracing0)
The 2026 renewal of the Group 2, USD 2,000,000 1351 Turf Sprint at King Abdulaziz Racecourse represents a pinnacle of international specialisation in Thoroughbred racing. Positioned as a crown jewel of the Saudi Cup undercard, this race has evolved from a unique intermediate test into a definitive target for the world’s elite seven-furlong specialists and versatile sprinters.
As the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia hosts the 41st Asian Racing Conference alongside the 2026 festival, the 1351 Turf Sprint serves as a primary exhibit of the Kingdom’s rapid ascent in the global racing hierarchy. The full field of 14 runners represents a heavyweight clash between Europe’s premier speedsters and Japan’s classic champions, supported by a deep bench of North American gate speed and a sophisticated regional defence.
The Market Leaders: A Tale of Two Titans
The 2026 edition is widely viewed as a duel between the French speedster Lazzat and the Japanese classic star Panja Tower. Both represent the absolute elite of their respective jurisdictions, though they bring vastly different tactical profiles to Riyadh.
Lazzat: The European Benchmark
Lazzat, trained by Jérôme Reynier for Wathnan Racing, enters Riyadh as the horse to beat. Widely recognised as one of the most consistent performers in the global sprint division, he first rose to prominence with an unbeaten three-year-old campaign that culminated in a Group 1 triumph in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
His career reached a new peak in June 2025 when he secured a bold victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot over 1200m (below) - a win famously remembered for launching his jockey, James Doyle, onto the turf during a particularly spirited post-race celebration. Although he ended his four-year-old season with a narrow second-place finish in the British Champions Sprint Stakes - where he was famously caught by a 200/1 outsider - he remains a flagship horse for his connections. Reynier’s training philosophy emphasises "freshness," and Lazzat’s preparation - including a targeted racecourse gallop at Cagnes-sur-Mer - mirrors the path that led to his Ascot glory.
The flat, sweeping circuit in Riyadh is expected to suit him far better than the testing hills of Ascot, making him a formidable European standard-bearer for an assignment seen as the perfect springboard for another international campaign.
Panja Tower: Japan's Group 1 Star
Japan’s premier hope, Panja Tower, represents the "miler-down" strategy that has served Japanese connections so well in the Middle East. Foaled in early 2022, the bay colt is a son of the champion sprinter Tower of London. He has been a trailblazer for his sire, providing him with his first graded-stakes winner when claiming the Grade 2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes in late 2024.
Panja Tower truly rose to prominence by winning the 2025 Group 1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo (above), Japan’s definitive test for three-year-old milers. Regarded by observers as a rapidly improving and very talented colt, he possesses a level of natural ability that is still being unlocked. While known for his devastating closing speed under regular rider Kohei Matsuyama - a trait he displayed when winning the Grade 3 Keeneland Cup in August - he will have the services of the world-class "Magic Man" Joao Moreira in Riyadh.
Having recently finished a creditable fifth in the prestigious Golden Eagle in Australia, Panja Tower arrives as the primary threat to Lazzat’s supremacy. His ability to sustain a high-tempo gallop over 1600m suggests he will be finishing stronger than any other horse in the field.
The International Challengers: Class and Versatility
The 2026 field is bolstered by several high-quality "dark horses" from Ireland and Japan that fit the unique 1351m distance profile perfectly.
Comanche Brave: The Irish Threat
Donnacha Aidan O'Brien sends over Comanche Brave, a high-class colt sired by the late Wootton Bassett. Owned by Coolmore, he has established himself as a consistent performer at the Group level, reaching an official rating of 111.
His career highlights include a dominant win at Naas in July 2025 and a notable third-place finish in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. He also secured a creditable fifth in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh (above). Most recently seen placing third in the Group 2 Solonaway Stakes at Leopardstown, he brings the tactical flexibility required to sit just off the pace before challenging in the final straight. While perhaps flying slightly under the radar compared to the market leaders, O'Brien's ability to prime horses for international targets makes this four-year-old a serious podium threat in Riyadh.
However, there is a degree of uncertainty regarding his participation; having contested the Abu Dhabi Gold Cup only the previous Saturday, he may not run if connections decide the quick back-to-back schedule is too demanding.
Fortune Time: Japan's Consistent Specialist
Tatsuya Yoshioka’s Fortune Time brings high-level consistency and an impressive winning strike-rate from the Japanese circuit to Saudi Arabia.
With five wins from just nine starts by the end of the 2025 season, Fortune Time has developed a reputation as a highly competitive performer over distances ranging from 1400m to 1600m. His career reached a new high in November with a victory in the Listed Oro Cup at Tokyo, which he followed up with a strong third-place finish in the Grade 2 Hanshin Cup (above). Finishing just a length behind Group 1 winner Lugal on that occasion, he proved he can handle the high-tempo nature of top-tier intermediate racing. His ability to travel and maintain a solid position makes him a dangerous tactical opponent who represents the significant depth of the Japanese challenge in Riyadh.
Shin Forever: The Riyadh Returnee
Shin Forever, trained by the veteran Middle East specialist Hideyuki Mori for owner Susumu Fujita, offers one of the most intriguing tactical profiles in the field. A four-year-old colt sired by Complexity out of the Pulpit mare Praising, he was a $300,000 purchase as a two-year-old and returns to King Abdulaziz Racecourse with significant "home-field" advantage.
Having established his international credentials with a close second in the 2025 Saudi Derby (above) and a fourth-place finish in the UAE Derby, Shin Forever has proven his affinity for the Riyadh atmosphere. While his career record of one win from thirteen starts includes a recent testing effort in the Group 3 Kyoto Kimpai, he remains a frequent competitor in high-level Group contests over distances between seven and nine furlongs on both turf and dirt.
Mori’s track record of upsetting high-profile races in Riyadh, combined with the colt's high-speed American pedigree, suggests that the switch to the 1351m turf sprint could unlock his potential as a world-class athlete on this circuit.
The North American Delegation: Tactical Speed
The American strategy focuses on horses that have demonstrated "graded" speed, providing the early fractions that will test the stamina of the milers.
Reef Runner: The Florida Closer
A five-year-old gelding by The Big Beast, Reef Runner represents the elite Florida turf circuit with career earnings surpassing $625,000. Trained by David Fawkes, he has established himself as a high-class performer recognised for a signature late-closing kick. His 2025 campaign was especially noteworthy, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 2 Eddie D Stakes at Santa Anita (below) and a strong fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Although he crossed the line first in the 2025 Green Flash Handicap only to be disqualified to second for interference, he maintained his form to win the Janus Stakes at Gulfstream Park later that December.
While his conditioning includes blistering works on synthetic surfaces, his ability to weave through traffic makes him a primary threat in the closing stages.
Zio Jo: The Versatile Hybrid
Doug O'Neill’s Zio Jo, a six-year-old gelding by Nyquist, is a "miler-sprint" hybrid ideal for this intermediate distance. Sired by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, he has established himself as a consistent campaigner on the California turf circuit. With a record of four wins from 25 starts and earnings exceeding $320,000, he has demonstrated talent across both mile distances and shorter sprints. His notable performances include a narrow second-place finish in last year’s Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (below) and recent podium efforts in the Stormy Liberal Stakes and the Joe Hernandez Stakes.
His background in elite company over longer trips ensures he will have the stamina to see out the stiff Riyadh finish, making him a primary tactical asset for the American contingent.
Time To Dazzle: The Patient Closer
Mark Casse’s Time To Dazzle is a high-class five-year-old mare who has established herself as the North American delegation's specialist closer.
With four wins from 14 career starts and total prize money earnings of approximately $682,877, she brings a powerful CV to Riyadh. Her most famous performance came in October last year, where she displayed a devastating turn of foot to win the Grade 2 Franklin Stakes at Keeneland (below). Her career also includes a victory in the 2024 Grade 3 Ontario Colleen Stakes and several placings in prestigious events like the License Fee and Caress Stakes.
She will be banking on an aggressive early pace from her fellow raiders to set up her trademark late rally in the final 400 metres. Having shown a consistent ability to weave through traffic, she provides a vital tactical alternative for the North American interest.
The European Defence: Strength in Depth
The United Kingdom sends a potent trio of runners, each bringing a different level of experience to the King Abdulaziz turf.
Audience: The Front-Running Group 1 Star
Audience, a high-profile seven-year-old bay gelding by Iffraaj, brings genuine Group 1 class to the Riyadh sprint. Now trained by David O'Meara after moving from the yard of John and Thady Gosden, he is widely celebrated for his bold front-running style and a major 22/1 upset victory in the 2024 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (below).
However, at seven years of age, there are growing concerns that the veteran's form may be beginning to decline. While his career CV is marked by top-tier consistency, including a win in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and earnings exceeding £650,000, his more recent outings suggest he may no longer possess the invincible gear of his prime. Equally effective over seven furlongs and a mile, Audience still possesses the tactical speed to dominate from the front, but his recent third-place finish in the Zabeel Mile at Meydan - while proving he is acclimatised to Middle Eastern conditions - was viewed by some as a step below his elite standard.
Marvelman: The Doncaster Specialist
Marvelman, a four-year-old colt trained by Andrew Balding, remains one of the more polarising prospects in the field. An Irish-bred son of Invincible Spirit, his career trajectory suggests a horse that truly blossoms when the ground has some "give." His standout performance in the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster (below) - where he drew clear of a high-quality field by four lengths - came on a surface described as soft, and his most consistent turf form in the UK has historically been tied to ease in the ground.
As he prepares for Riyadh, the central question remains his ability to replicate that elite form on what is likely to be a fast, rattling turf surface at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. While his record of two wins and five placings from ten starts includes proven effectiveness on synthetic all-weather tracks, the transition from a soft Doncaster turf to a lightning-fast Saudi circuit represents a significant technical hurdle. If the ground remains as firm as expected, Marvelman will need to prove he has the physical versatility to handle a surface that contrasts sharply with the conditions of his greatest career triumph.
Annaf: The Defending Hero's Redemption
Mick Appleby’s Annaf attempts to regain the crown he won in 2024. Over a prolific career spanning more than forty starts, he has proven himself a durable force across surfaces and distances from five to seven furlongs.
His previous victory in Riyadh under Rossa Ryan was a masterclass in tactical patience, finding a late seam on the rail to secure the Group 2 title (above). After a 2024 campaign curtailed by a severe bout of pneumonia in the early part of that year, the veteran seven-year-old returned to his best during a resilient 2025 season. Most recently, he recorded a gritty victory in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot in October, winning by a short head under Daniel Muscutt.
Throughout 2025, Annaf proved his durability with several high-level performances, including a second-place finish in the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle and a third in the Listed Kachy Stakes at Lingfield. While he struggled in the absolute top tier - finishing unplaced in both the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Cup at Haydock - his return to the winner’s enclosure in October confirms he remains a top-class competitor. Amassing over £1.3 million in prize money, he looks to repeat his masterclass in tactical patience on a surface he clearly relishes.
Regional Vanguard: The Saudi Defence
The quality of the regional defensive line is at an all-time high, with local contenders leveraging their intimate familiarity with the King Abdulaziz turf.
Zefzaf: The Local Pace-Setter
Zefzaf, a six-year-old bay horse bred in the United States, enters the 1351 Turf Sprint as the leading domestic hope. Owned by Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz’s Red Stable and trained by Sami Alharabi, the son of Mo Town has flourished since arriving in the Kingdom. With a record of seven wins from fifteen career starts and earnings exceeding SAR 450,000, he has established himself as a versatile performer on both dirt and turf.
His preparation for this assignment has been flawless, highlighted by a dominant victory in the 1351 Turf Sprint Qualifier in January under the guidance of elite jockey Joel Rosario (above). Known for his tactical speed over distances between 1,200 and 1,400 metres, Zefzaf possesses an intimate familiarity with the Riyadh circuit that makes him a dangerous tactical component. Expect him to be positioned aggressively from the gates, testing the international raiders' ability to handle the local tempo and heat.
Geography: The Emerging Continental Raider
Geography, a five-year-old German-bred, has recently emerged as a significant talent within the Saudi Arabian circuit. Previously trained in Germany by Peter Schiergen, he established a high-class European profile during a productive 2025 campaign, securing victories in the Group 2 Oettingen Rennen (below) at Baden-Baden and the Group 3 Fritz Henkel-Preis at Dusseldorf.
His elite credentials were confirmed by a creditable fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Prix de la Forêt at ParisLongchamp, after which he was acquired at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale for 570,000 Guineas and relocated to the Riyadh stable of Saad Aljenade. Now established as a locally trained runner, Geography represents a primary domestic hope for the 2026 festival. He brings a unique blend of European stamina and local conditioning to the 1351 Turf Sprint, possessing the engine necessary to trade blows with Group-level visitors in the final 400 metres.
Love De Vega: The Seasoned Professional
Love De Vega, a seven-year-old horse foaled in 2019, provides the regional defence with a wealth of experience. Sired by the elite stallion Lope De Vega out of the mare Ribble, he is owned by Yagoob Mohammed H. Alkhalaf and trained by Mohammed Ahmed. Most recently, he finished a valiant second in the Turf Sprint Qualifier at Riyadh on 16 January, finding only the aforementioned Zefzaf too strong. This performance secured his place in the line-up for this prestigious USD 2,000,000 prize.
Before his transfer to Saudi Arabia in January 2025, he was a highly consistent performer in the United Kingdom under the care of Mark and Charlie Johnston. During his time in the UK, he recorded seven victories from thirty-eight starts, including notable wins at Newmarket and Hamilton Park. Bringing a solid profile of both turf and all-weather experience to his new stable, he has built a reputation for exploiting tactical errors from less experienced visiting rivals. His ability to travel comfortably at high cruising speeds and his proven durability make him a reliable podium candidate if the market leaders falter under the intensity of the Saudi sun.
Forecast and Strategic Conclusion
The 2026 Group 2 1351 Turf Sprint is set to be a clash of stylistic extremes across a full field of 14. While Lazzat is a deserving market favourite, the strategic value lies with Panja Tower, currently priced at 5/1. His pedigree suggests he is the quintessential 1400-metre specialist, and having the "Magic Man" Joao Moreira in the irons provides a significant tactical edge in what promises to be a crowded finish.
Ultimately, the winner will be the athlete that best navigates the hybrid demands of this intermediate distance - possessing enough tactical speed to survive the early fractions and enough elite stamina to conquer the final 400 metres of the world’s most valuable turf sprint circuit. On current form and price, the rapidly improving and talented Panja Tower is the selection to master the Riyadh turf on 14th February.
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