The world’s most valuable horse race is on the agenda once more in 2022, with the Saudi Cup only 2 months away in the Gulf.
With a small matter of $20 million in the prize pot and half of that going to the winning horse and connections, the stakes at the Saudi Cup could not be higher.
Taking place at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Jeddah, it promises to be another spectacular festival of racing – with all of the fastest horses on the planet vying for supremacy.
First being run in 2020, the Saudi Cup is one of the newest races on the international calendar but the magnitude of both the field taking part and the prize money on offer, makes it one of the most attractive propositions for horse racing oligarchs the world over.
Previous winners of the race Maximum Security and Mishriff have both gone on to excel at the very top end of flat racing all over the world and there are a whole host of 4-year-olds, looking to make their mark here in Jeddah.
Timing is often everything in the world of horse racing and 4-year-old Life is Good suffered a cruel twist of fate in 2021, with injury ruling it out of the Kentucky Derby – where it was one of the hot favourites to go all the way.
A new year presents a new opportunity however and with some excellent form displayed once more at the back end of last season, Life is Good looks to be back with a vengeance.
According to Horse.Bet experts, coming in as the hot favourite here for the Saudi Cup, Life is Good looks to be a decent punt at +350 odds.
2021 winner Mishriff is next in the betting, with the John Gosden trained 5-year-old renowned as one of the fastest horses on the planet.
The trip over 1,800 meters certainly suits Mishriff and going back to back at the Saudi Cup would be one for the record books.
At +400, Mishriff looks to be one of the key horses to back at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in 2022.
Japanese superstar horse T O Keynes travels to Jeddah with a seriously big reputation and the whole racing world will be watching to see what unfolds.
The 5-year-old is prolific on the domestic circuit in Japan and appears to relish trips around this length.
Undoubtedly this is a step up in quality but at +600, T O Keynes is certainly in with a decent chance here.
American 4-year-old Hot Rod Charlie is a horse with a huge amount of potential and is increasingly finding itself in the mix at some of the biggest races.
Trainer Doug O’Neill likes to get the most out of his horses and with 11 career outings to date, Hot Rod Charlie is one of the most well-travelled horses in the field.
At +1000, Hot Rod Charlie appears to have a lot to do but in flat racing, anything is possible.
Americanrevolution is next in the betting, a hugely exciting prospect for Todd Pletcher and connections.
Speed will be the aim of the game here at the Saudi Cup and this 4-year-old has it in abundance and if it gets a good run, it cannot be ruled out at a healthy +1400.