Riyadh: Amr Zedan, the successful Saudi businessman and Thoroughbred breeder, has entered two of his star horses, both trained by Bob Baffert, in the $20 million Group 1 Saudi Cup on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Taiba, a three-time Grade 1 winner who landed the 1400m Malibu Stakes impressively at Santa Anita last month, is set to be accompanied by stablemate Country Grammer, a close second to Emblem Road in the 2022 Saudi Cup, before going on to take the Dubai World Cup the following month.
Describing Taiba’s last start in the Malibu race when dropping back in distance to 1400m, Zedan said: “He’s the kind of horse that works as good as his workmate. He has his own mind, but he gives me a heart attack in every race, especially down the backstretch.
“The Malibu was an important race for him as it turned into a bit of a sprint. It was a good call by Bob to put him in the right condition to instigate that kind of speed and it was a good step.
“If you watch the Pennsylvania Derby, he was dropping back and then picked up. Mike Smith knows him well and they are a great combination. He makes Mike work — he was more exhausted than Taiba that day!”
When asked when the Saudi Cup came on the radar for the 4-year-old son of Gun Runner, Zedan said: “We really hoped we had something after he won the Santa Anita Derby in April, and we always thought he would be the perfect fit for the race going from his 3-year-old to his 4-year-old year.
“The Saudi Cup was front and center. We had to see how the rest of the year played out, but with me being from Saudi, it was always a priority. I serve on the board of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia with Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal (chairman of the club) and I’m super pumped and super excited to be a part of the Saudi Cup’s continued success.”
Country Grammer was only beaten half a length by Emblem Road before tasting success in the Dubai World Cup a month later.
Reflecting on his run in Riyadh last February, Zedan said: “It was a good effort, and it was a prelude to Dubai. We thought the extra distance at Meydan would suit Country Grammer, but Life Is Good was a significant concern.
“Country Grammer enjoyed the distance and Life Is Good probably prefers the Saudi Cup distance. He keeps grinding our horse. He’s got speed and the workmanship to get over the wire.
“It was my first appearance at the Saudi Cup, and Country Grammer was an unknown commodity. He showed great tenacity to finish second, and we were very proud of him. I was delighted for Prince Saud bin Salman (owner of Emblem Road).”
Frankie Dettori starts his farewell tour in Saudi Arabia next month, and Zedan confirmed he will maintain his partnership with the son of Tonalist, who won the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on the same day as Taiba’s Malibu victory.
“Frankie needs no testimony from me. He’s been great for the sport in every way — on the horse, off the horse or flying off the horse. His accomplishments speak for themselves. He’s a good friend and he will be missed. I hope he reconsiders his retirement by picking up mounts as he chooses over the coming months,” said Zedan.
With two such strong chances for the world’s most valuable race, who would Zedan side with?
“You don’t prefer a kid over another,” said Zedan. “We’ve had brilliant moments with both and they’re both my boys. Everyone needs to be given their best shot and as long as one of them crosses the wire first, I’ll be a happy camper.”
Zedan Racing Stables also has a possible runner in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby with Hejazi.
“He’s a great horse and just needed some time to grow into his frame. He was beaten by some very fast sprinters last year and produced a 101 Beyer Time Figure in his 2-year-old season, which is almost unheard of. He’s been a bit unlucky; he’s produced some great numbers,” Zedan said.
