Riyadh’s Road to Louisville: A Preview of the 2026 Saudi Derby

By Archie Brookes (@abracing0)

Satono Voyage heads the Saudi Derby market - picture from netkeiba.com

The global racing calendar has undergone a profound structural shift over the last half-decade, and the Group 3 Saudi Derby now sits at its absolute epicentre. On Saturday, 14th February, fourteen elite three-year-olds will congregate at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh to compete for a $1.5 million purse and, perhaps more importantly, 30 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. This allocation effectively guarantees the winner a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs, elevating the race from a lucrative international prize to a pivotal axis for Triple Crown ambitions.

Unlike the standard American two-turn mile, Riyadh's 1600-metre configuration is a one-turn contest beginning in a long backstretch chute. This specific layout rewards horses with a high, sustained cruising speed and the physical constitution to maintain a relentless gallop. The surface itself is widely praised for its consistency and relative lack of punishing kickback compared to American tracks, often allowing horses with turf-leaning actions to compete on equal terms with specialist dirt lines.

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The Local Vanguard: Defending the Home Desert

Al Haram (IRE) | Trainer: Abdullah Alsidrani

The clear standout and local hero, Al Haram is currently unbeaten in three starts. He enters the Derby following a performance in the Saudi 2000 Guineas that can only be described as transcendental. Despite a sluggish start that saw him languishing at the rear of the field, he responded generously to jockey Ricardo Ferreira's pressure, weaving through traffic to win by a monstrous 7 1/4 lengths. Sired by the Darley stallion Iffraaj, a sire known for versatile milers, Al Haram combines European fluid action with an uncanny affinity for the Riyadh dirt. His victory margin suggests a class of athlete significantly superior to the local standard and fully capable of matching strides with the world's best.

Tuwajeri (IRE) | Trainer: Abdullah Alsidrani

Joining Al Haram from the local ranks is the supplemented entry Tuwajeri. Also trained by Alsidrani, Tuwajeri comes into the Saudi Derby with his reputation enhanced following a brave second-place finish behind Al Haram in the Saudi 2000 Guineas. While he was ultimately unable to match the finishing kick of his stablemate, Tuwajeri proved himself the best of the rest, comfortably holding off the remainder of the local field to secure a dominant 1-2 for the Alsidrani yard.

His performance in the Guineas suggests he is a horse of significant grit; he maintained his gallop when others faded, and his familiarity with the Riyadh surface is a distinct advantage. The presence of two runners from the same yard who occupied the top two spots in the primary local trial allows for a complex tactical approach; Tuwajeri could be utilised to press the international speed or to shield Al Haram from the worst of the early kickback, ensuring the local star has the best possible run at the $1.5 million prize.

The Japanese Revolution: JRA & NAR Synergy

Japan’s dominance in international dirt racing reached a fever pitch in 2024 and 2025, and their five-horse squad for 2026 suggests no deceleration in this trend. The Japanese challenge features a synergy between elite JRA prospects and battle-hardened NAR champions.

Satono Voyage (JPN) | Trainer: Hiroyasu Tanaka

The headliner of the Japanese contingent and a masterpiece of international bloodlines. Sired by the preeminent North American stallion Into Mischief, Satono Voyage has been flawless since switching to the dirt surface, remaining perfect in three starts. He solidified his status as an elite prospect by securing 10 qualifying points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby with a dominant victory in the Cattleya Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse (below). In that effort, he stopped the clock in a sharp 1:37.4 for the 1600 metres, a time that carries significant weight given that the Tokyo surface is traditionally "heavier" and deeper than the one he will encounter in Riyadh. Technical projections suggest that his ability to maintain such a tempo on Tokyo's power-sapping sand translates to a potential sub-1:36.0 performance on the faster Riyadh strip.

His pedigree is a sophisticated blend of speed and stamina; he is out of the Brazilian champion turf mare Jolie Olimpica, a Grade 1 winner in Brazil who was also Grade 1-placed in the United States. This combination of Into Mischief’s raw dirt speed and the stamina of a champion turf line creates a profile ideally suited for the demands of the Riyadh mile. Satono Voyage’s proven ability to stalk a high pace and draw away under confident handling makes him the tactical benchmark for the entire field.

Best Green (JPN) | Trainer: Junji Tanaka

Representing the NAR circuit, Best Green carries an impressive 4-for-5 record into Riyadh. While his early career was defined by dominance - including a track-record-breaking debut over 1100 metres and a four-length romp in the Kamakura Kinen (below) - it was his most recent effort that truly tested his mettle. Stepping up to the highest level in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, Japan's two-year-old dirt championship, he finished a valiant third against the nation's elite.

His trainer has explicitly compared him to former champion Happy Sprint, noting his "relentless motor." That Jpn1 experience against top-tier competition ensures he arrives in Saudi Arabia battle-hardened. Best Green’s familiarity with deep, high-moisture dirt tracks provides a layer of regional toughness that may give him an edge if the Riyadh surface plays slower than usual or if the early pace becomes particularly gruelling.

Tokai Ma Cherie (JPN) | Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi

A winner of the Hyogo Junior Grand Prix, Tokai Ma Cherie is a chestnut filly with a prestigious heritage. Foaled in May 2023, she is owned by Masanori Uchimura - the same owner behind the legendary Tokai Teio - and trained at the Ritto Training Centre. Sired by the champion American sprinter Drefong out of Tokai Mystery (by King Kamehameha), she was initially tested on turf before her connections identified her true potential on the dirt.

After winning her maiden at Hakodate, she excelled during her transition to dirt surfaces, finishing second in the Jpn3 Edelweiss Sho before securing a career-defining win in the Jpn2 Hyogo Junior Grand Prix at Sonoda (above). As a specialist in navigating tight turns and crowded fields, she is a dangerous competitor if the early battle for position in the backstretch chute becomes congested. Her ability to handle high-pressure tactical environments makes her a vital component of the Japanese squad, carrying the expectations that come with the historic "Tokai" lineage.

Wonder Dean (JPN) | Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi

The second of Takayanagi’s entries, Wonder Dean, is a bay colt owned by Yoshinari Yamamoto that adds significant depth to the Japanese squad. Sired by the Japanese Classic winner Dee Majesty and out of Wonder Siang Praw, he boasts a pedigree with deep dirt credentials via his maternal grandfather, the celebrated dirt specialist Wonder Acute. While he may lack the headlines of Satono Voyage, his performance profile suggests a horse with immense stamina and determination.

Wonder Dean consolidated his invitation to Riyadh with a highly encouraging performance in the Poinsettia Stakes at Hanshin on 20th December (above). Partnered with jockey Florent Geroux, he produced a professional effort in the 1800m Open Class event, tracking the pace in third before launching a determined challenge in the home straight. Although narrowly denied by Rock Ptarmigan by just half a length, the run marked his second consecutive runner-up finish against high-quality opposition. This consistency and his proven ability to sustain a strong gallop over middle distances indicate that he will be thriving in the final stages of the Riyadh mile. As a durable runner, he is expected to be picking up the pieces if the front-runners falter under the high-intensity pace of the Saudi Derby.

Keiai Agito (JPN) | Trainer: Yukihiro Kato

Representing the "developmental" side of the JRA dirt division, Keiai Agito has emerged as a serious dark horse following a stellar final preparation at Miho Training Centre. A bay colt born on 5 April 2023, he is owned by Keiai Stallion Co. Ltd and bred by Shizunai Yamada Bokujo. His pedigree is particularly striking for dirt enthusiasts, being a son of Espoir City out of Turf Designer (by Unbridled's Song), a lineage that has already earned him over 16,000,000 Yen in JRA earnings.

Keiai Agito carries a remarkably consistent record, having never finished outside the top two in his three career starts. He broke his maiden over 1600m at Tokyo (below) under Christophe Lemaire before stepping up to win an 1800m Allowance race at Nakayama as a 12/1 outsider. Most recently, his 1200m gallop on the Miho woodchip course (85.0s - final furlong 11.4s) prompted trainer Yukihiro Kato to declare him in "peak condition."

Beyond his physical prowess, his mental development has been notable; once prone to losing focus when following rivals, he now demonstrates sharp concentration. This progression, combined with his nomination for the 2026 American Triple Crown, suggests his team views him as a top-tier international prospect. With world-class jockey Joao Moreira booked to ride, Keiai Agito is primed for a massive performance.

The North American Contingent: The Kentucky Dream

For the American trainers, Riyadh has become a strategic "Plan A" to bypass the congested domestic prep circuit while competing for a purse that exceeds many Grade 1 contests in the United States.

Obliteration (USA) | Trainer: Steve Asmussen

The Hall of Fame presence in the American squad is led by Steve Asmussen, who sends out the precocious Obliteration. A Kentucky-bred son of the sire Violence out of the mare I'mclassyandsassy, Obliteration established himself as a top-tier juvenile with a breathtaking 10 1/2-length victory in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga (below). That performance yielded one of the fastest Beyer Speed Figures for a two-year-old in the last decade, instantly cementing his reputation as a high-end speed specialist.

Obliteration has continued his ascent into 2026, most recently securing a dominant win at Oaklawn Park in January and a victory in the Renaissance Stakes last month. The Violence line is synonymous with raw speed and early maturity - traits that are highly effective on the Riyadh dirt. However, the 1600-metre distance will be a definitive test for his ability to stretch his high-velocity "front-running" capacity into a sustained mile.

The Asmussen stable is renowned for its rigorous training regimens that build the necessary lung capacity for these intensive international assignments. While there is ongoing debate in the racing community about whether Obliteration is best suited for shorter sprints or the longer Triple Crown trail, his current peak form makes him a primary pace-setter in Riyadh. His tactical versatility remains a key asset; though he typically dares the field to catch him, he is physically mature enough to sit just off the lead if the early tempo demands it.

My World (USA) | Trainer: Brad Cox

Brad Cox, another mainstay of the American leaderboard, enters My World, a son of the champion Essential Quality. This pedigree is particularly resonant for the Saudi Derby; Essential Quality was a champion two-year-old and Belmont Stakes winner known for his tactical brilliance and iron will. My World earned his way into the Riyadh conversation with a decisive victory in the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct (below).

This win, achieved on the demanding New York winter dirt, indicates that My World possesses the physical and mental toughness required for international travel. His pedigree suggests that the 1600-metre distance well within his comfort zone, and he may actually improve as the distances lengthen toward the 2000 metres of the Kentucky Derby. As a tactical stalker with high-end stamina, he represents the "classic American" challenge to the early speed of the sprinters.

Very Connected (USA) | Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Kenny McPeek, who famously conditioned the 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, brings Very Connected to the fray. This colt, a son of Connect, has been a steady presence in the Kentucky prep circuit, finishing third in the Grade 3 Street Sense and fourth in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs (below). A $180,000 yearling purchase at the Keeneland September sale, his career earnings already exceed $130,000, reflecting a consistent and professional trajectory.

While his career-best Brisnet Speed rating of 88 suggests he must find a forward step to defeat the elite speed projected from the Japanese and local stars, his experience at Churchill Downs - a surface that shares structural similarities with the King Abdulaziz track - provides a professional foundation for this journey. As a professional who picks up pieces late, he remains a dangerous contender if the early pace collapses.

Acknowledgemeplz (USA) | Trainer: Doug O'Neill

The American squad is completed by Doug O'Neill’s Acknowledgemeplz, a son of Bucchero. O'Neill brings a formidable reputation to Riyadh, with a storied history of success in the Middle East that includes winning multiple editions of the Godolphin Mile. Acknowledgemeplz has proven to be a tough competitor on the Southern California circuit, recently earning a 74 speed figure in outings at Santa Anita.

While he may arrive less heralded than some of his G1-winning stablemates, the "O'Neill factor" in international shipping is a significant variable that cannot be discounted. The trainer’s proven ability to have horses peak upon arrival in the Middle East suggests that Acknowledgemeplz could significantly outperform his domestic form. His consistency and professional temperament make him a dangerous outsider to ignore in a race that rewards tactical durability.

European Turf-to-Dirt Challengers

The European challenge relies on high-level turf class attempting to translate to the dirt - a difficult gamble that rewards those with physical power and fluid strides.

Shayem (IRE) | Trainer: Karl Burke

Karl Burke, the master of North Yorkshire, sends out Shayem. A son of Iffraaj, he creates a fascinating head-to-head with his local paternal half-brother, Al Haram. Shayem has enjoyed an encouraging start to his career in the United Kingdom, with three wins from four starts. His most significant achievement to date is a victory in the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract, a race known for identifying progressive stayers.

Further demonstrating his class, Shayem finished third in the Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock (above), trailing only Bow Echo, who subsequently won the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes and became a leading contender for the 2000 Guineas. His victory in the Betfred Derby 'Wild Card' EBF Conditions Stakes at Epsom further highlighted his blend of class and stamina. Burke’s decision to bring the colt to Riyadh suggests a belief that his physical power and stride will adapt seamlessly to the dirt, potentially opening up a global campaign that could include the Dubai World Cup carnival.

Cielo Di Roma (FR) | Trainer: Gianluca Bietolini

France is represented by Cielo Di Roma, trained by Gianluca Bietolini. A son of the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Romanised, Cielo Di Roma possesses elite European speed, evidenced by his stylish win in the Listed Prix Zeddaan over 1400 metres at Deauville. In that victory, he defeated a competitive field, marking him as a high-class prospect.

While his Group 1 attempt in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (above) resulted in a mid-pack finish, his tactical speed makes him a dangerous "wild card" in a one-turn mile. The primary question for Cielo Di Roma, as with many European invaders, is how he will handle the kickback factor in a fourteen-horse field. If he can secure a clear run on the outside, his turf acceleration could prove a formidable weapon in the long Riyadh stretch. His performance will be a crucial test of how elite French turf form translates to the faster desert dirt.

Regional Powerhouse: The UAE Entry

Union Security (USA) | Trainer: Ahmad Bin Harmash

Sired by the Breeders' Cup Classic winner Maximum Security, Union Security carries the heavy expectations of a pedigree designed for dirt dominance. Trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash at Meydan, he represents the strongest threat from the neighbouring UAE. Union Security showed considerable promise when finishing third in the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan (below), a track widely regarded for its deep, power-sapping surface that often proves difficult for uninitiated three-year-olds.

His transition to the 1600-metre Riyadh distance appears a logical progression of his stamina-oriented profile. Having already proven his ability to handle desert conditions and significant kickback, he possesses a tactical edge in terms of regional experience. As a stalker with high-end endurance, Union Security is ideally placed to inherit the lead if the aggressive American and Japanese pace-setters falter in the final furlong.

Technical & Tactical Summary

The 1600-metre Saudi Derby is frequently won or lost in the first 400 metres. The long backstretch chute allows for a prolonged battle for the lead, and in a field of fourteen, the inside draws can be disadvantaged by the "kickback" from the early leaders.

The Speed Profile: Obliteration and My World are the most likely candidates to lead the field. Obliteration, in particular, showed explosive gate speed in the Sanford Stakes, and trainer Steve Asmussen typically instructs his riders to take an aggressive position to dare the field to catch him. My World, while possessing tactical versatility, has the natural speed of an Essential Quality son and will likely press the pace from a few lengths back, utilising his "Essential Quality" grit to wear down rivals.

The Stalkers: Satono Voyage and Union Security represent the "Stalking Class." This is traditionally the most efficient trip in Riyadh, as it avoids the worst of the kickback while keeping the leaders within striking distance. Satono Voyage’s win in the Cattleya Stakes was a masterclass in stalking a pace before pouncing at the top of the stretch, and his technical projections on the faster Riyadh strip are formidable. Union Security, having competed at the high-pressure Meydan circuit, will likely look for a similar outside position to utilise his regional experience.

The Closers: Al Haram, Tuwajeri, Keiai Agito, Wonder Dean, and Very Connected are the designated "Finishers." Al Haram's miraculous recovery in the Saudi 2000 Guineas indicates he can sustain a long, powerful run, but he cannot afford to give the international elite a ten-length head start. Very Connected has shown in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes that he can pick up pieces late in a race, and the long Riyadh stretch (approximately 400 metres) plays directly to his strengths as a professional closer. Tuwajeri's ability to chase home his stablemate indicates he will be right there if the front-runners crack, while Keiai Agito’s new-found focus and Moreira’s steering could see him fly late alongside the stamina-rich Wonder Dean.

Conclusion

The 2026 Saudi Derby stands at the intersection of tradition and modernisation. It is a race where the "old world" of European turf pedigree meets the "new world" of Japanese dirt innovation and the established "powerhouse" of American racing. For the local Saudi Arabian fans, it is a chance to see a potential legend in Al Haram take on the best the world has to offer. As the sun sets over Riyadh on 14th February, the winner will emerge not just as a champion of the desert, but as a primary contender for the most prestigious prizes in global racing.