The Saudi Cup is the richest Thoroughbred race in the world. Featuring a purse of $20 million, this run over the Middle Eastern dirt at king Abduiaziz Race Course in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia attracts some of the best runners in the world. That is exactly the reason American training icon Bob Baffert is sending Nysos to compete, as he is one of the best.
A son of Nyquist, this newly turned five-year-old has been lightly raced throughout his highly successful career. Injury and some other physical hiccups may have limited Nysos to just eight trips to the track in the afternoon, but those starts have all produced some scintillating results. Nysos has six wins and two second-place finishes, and is currently riding a four-race win streak.
His most recent victory came in the Grade III Robert B. lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park on February 3rd. Nysos went off as the heavy favorite and didn’t disappoint, winning by a cozy 2 1/4 lengths. The Lewis Stakes is a stepping stone to the Grade I Santa Anita derby, a major prep race for the Kentucky Derby. However, Baffert has opted to bypass the Derby trail, at least for now, and point Nysos toward the Saudi Cup.
“He’s a brilliant horse,” Baffert said. “He’s got a lot of speed, and he’s very clever. I think he’ll handle the dirt surface in Saudi Arabia well.”
The Saudi Cup is run at 1 1/8 miles, a distance Nysos has never attempted.All of his races have been at a mile or less. However, Baffert is confident that Nysos has the stamina to handle the longer distance.“he’s been training well, and he’s been getting stronger every week,” Baffert explained. “I think he’ll stay the distance.”
Nysos will face a tough field in the Saudi Cup, including several international contenders. Among the horses expected to compete are Scotland Yard,a multiple Group 1 winner from Japan,and Ushba Tesoro,a Brazilian-bred horse who has been competing successfully in Dubai. Despite the competition, Baffert is optimistic about Nysos’ chances. “He’s a special horse, and I think he can win,” Baffert stated. “It’s going to be a challenge, but he’s up for it.”
The Saudi Cup will be run on February 24th. It will be a major test for Nysos, but also a chance to prove himself on the world stage. If he wins,he will not only earn a massive payday,but also cement his place among the top Thoroughbreds in the world.