Italian rider Frankie Dettori once again taking center stage

Italian rider Frankie Dettori once again taking center stage
Frankie Dettori at The Saudi Cup press conference. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 23 February 2023

Italian rider Frankie Dettori once again taking center stage

Italian rider Frankie Dettori once again taking center stage
  • Legendary rider aiming for Saudi Cup success in final year in saddle

RIYADH: The Frankie Dettori farewell tour has hit Riyadh and the storied jockey was the center of attention as he met the media at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on the eve of The Saudi Cup 2023 weekend.

The Italian looked suitably bronzed and fresh having flown in from California, where he has ridden 19 winners since commencing his stint at Santa Anita at Christmas.

Dettori is looking forward to taking part in the International Jockeys Challenge presented by stc on Friday and takes the reins on four strong chances on Saturday - Havnameltdown (US) in the Saudi Derby presented by Boutique Group, Elite Power (US) in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Sports Boulevard, Trawlerman (Ireland) in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, and Country Grammer (US) in the $20 million Saudi Cup.

On his current form in Los Angeles, he said: “It has been overwhelming. I did not expect to do so well. There are some great riders at Santa Anita, but I am really enjoying it and I am getting lots of support from a variety of trainers, so it’s going well.”

Dettori is better placed than most to appraise the growth of racing in Saudi Arabia and was glowing in his assessment of its progress in recent times.

“I have been coming here for 30 years so I am part of the furniture and I know most of the trainers.

“Back in the day, we used to race in the track in the city center. This track is here about 15 or 20 years and it’s not the first time I have said it, but it’s the best dirt track I have ever ridden. It is kinder than other dirt tracks I have ridden throughout the world.

“For example, we saw Mishriff, a turf horse, winning The Saudi Cup two years ago so it does open things up a bit for grass horses. I really enjoy riding here, the track is getting bigger and better, and The Saudi Cup has found a good slot in international racing,” he added.

Looking forward to Country Grammer in the climax to the weekend, Dettori said: “He’s very solid, he never runs a bad race. He was second last year, and he is very experienced.

“I would be foolish to say I am confident, but he has a very solid chance. He skipped the Breeders’ Cup Classic, so this race and Dubai have always been the aim and he felt as good as ever when he won the San Antonio Stakes in December.”

On his decision to retire at the end of the year, Dettori is determined to bow out at the top and the elongated departure befits his status as the most internationally recognisable figure in the sport.

“I have given myself a year to do my last farewell. I went to Santa Anita because I was asked to go instead of spending winter in Dubai. Then I move onto the European program, and Royal Ascot should be my last one. Then the Breeders’ Cup should be my last meeting.

“I don’t know, maybe the Melbourne Cup could materialise, but basically this year will be my last. I will be 53 in December and hopefully I will finish at the top. It’s very hard to choose the right moment but I want to have another life after racing.

“It’s been 36 years and I’ve really enjoyed myself on some champion horses, so I have been very lucky.

“At the moment, the plan is to stop at the end of the season. I am sure I will be asked a million times again, but that is the plan,” he added.


Saudi Arabia unveils sports clubs investment, privatization project

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Updated 51 min 3 sec ago

Saudi Arabia unveils sports clubs investment, privatization project

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched sports clubs' investment and privatization project on Monday.

The step is aimed at building an effective sports sector in general by stimulating private investment and enabling it to contribute to the sector's development.

The project aims to develop football in particular —placing the Saudi League among the top 10 leagues in the world.

It will also increase the revenues of the Saudi Professional League from SR450 million to more than SR1.8 billion annually, in addition to raising the League's market value from SR3 billion to more than SR8 billion

Developing...


Saudi Arabia’s U-23s complete training ahead of Toulon tournament opener

Saudi Arabia’s U-23s complete training ahead of Toulon tournament opener
Updated 04 June 2023

Saudi Arabia’s U-23s complete training ahead of Toulon tournament opener

Saudi Arabia’s U-23s complete training ahead of Toulon tournament opener
  • The Toulon tournament, as it is also known, forms part of their preparation program for qualifiers for the 2024 AFC U-23 Cup

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s U-23 football team on Saturday and Sunday held the final sessions of their training camp ahead of their opening match in the Maurice Revello Tournament, which runs from June 5 to 18. 

The Toulon tournament, as it is also known, forms part of their preparation program for qualifiers for the 2024 AFC U-23 Cup later this year.

The Green Falcons conducted their training session under the supervision of head coach Saad Al-Shehri and technical staff, during which they went through physical drills, followed by work on the tactical aspects of play.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia continued their training in preparation for the opening match of the tournament against France on Monday.

The young Green Falcons will also face Venezuela on Thursday and Costa Rica next Sunday in Group A of the tournament.


Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad to sign Benzema on two-year deal

French forward Karim Benzema. AFP
French forward Karim Benzema. AFP
Updated 04 June 2023

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad to sign Benzema on two-year deal

French forward Karim Benzema. AFP

MADRID: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad have reached an agreement with French striker Karim Benzema to sign him on a two-year deal, Saudi state-run Al-Ekhbariya television station reported on Sunday.

Benzema is set to join Al-Ittihad as a free agent after Real Madrid said earlier in the day that the 35-year-old would leave the LaLiga club after 14 trophy-laden years.

According to Al-Ekhbariya, the president of Saudi champions Al-Ittihad and his deputy were in the Spanish capital “to officially sign” Benzema in a “record transfer with Real Madrid.”

The broadcaster said Benzema had agreed a two-year deal with the club, based on the Red Sea shores of the Gulf kingdom.

Benzema scored a penalty in his final Madrid game as they drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.


Oleksandr Usyk joins Prince Khalid’s SCEE, sparks undisputed heavyweight title hopes

Oleksandr Usyk joins Prince Khalid’s SCEE, sparks undisputed heavyweight title hopes
Updated 04 June 2023

Oleksandr Usyk joins Prince Khalid’s SCEE, sparks undisputed heavyweight title hopes

Oleksandr Usyk joins Prince Khalid’s SCEE, sparks undisputed heavyweight title hopes
  • The Ukrainian could be set to take on Britain’s Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia this December

Skill Challenge Entertainment Promotions, the boxing management company owned by Prince Khalid bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, has signed Oleksandr Usyk, bringing the prospect of an undisputed heavyweight championship fight between the Ukrainian and Tyson Fury ever closer.

Usyk holds the WBA (Super), WBO, IBF and IBO titles — while Tyson Fury has the WBC and The Ring Lineal Champion status.

Rumors suggest that Saudi Arabia, known for its high-profile hosting capabilities with events such as “The Truth” and “Rage on The Red Sea,” has emerged as the leading contender to stage the showdown. The signing of Usyk to Skill Challenge Entertainment Promotions further increases the possibility of an undisputed clash for all the belts in The Kingdom.

As negotiations progress, the likelihood of witnessing a clash between Usyk and Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship in Saudi Arabia this December has significantly increased.

This would make for a historic moment in boxing as the victor would be the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennon Lewis held the status in 2003.

At a press conference in Riyadh, the boxer stated that ” Our goal is to become the undisputed heavyweight champion; this is the highest priority. ”

Alexander Krassyuk, co-promoter of Usyk, agreed that the opportunities afforded by KSA were “history in the making.”

Usyk further revealed his delight at signing with SCEE, and how they will help bring this eagerly anticipated fight with Fury together, saying: “For me it’s a great honor and a great opportunity to bring the biggest fight in the history of heavyweight boxing to the fans of the whole world. This is the fight that is so wanted through the planet. With the help of Prince Khalid, we will make it.”

Staying true to SCEE’s slogan of “For the fighters, For the fans”, Prince Khalid described his vision for the event and his desire to cut through the red tape of promoters and commissions to give the fans what they want.

“I can promise you something you have never seen in history of boxing," he said. "We’ll change the game, I can promise you, we will change the game for everybody who loves boxing, who’s eager to see the fights, the fights that they want to happen – without politics. I can promise you, it will change everything in boxing.”


The highs and lows of Roshn Saudi League 2022-23

The highs and lows of Roshn Saudi League 2022-23
Updated 03 June 2023

The highs and lows of Roshn Saudi League 2022-23

The highs and lows of Roshn Saudi League 2022-23
  • A campaign like no other saw Cristiano Ronaldo move to Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal stall and Al-Ittihad end a 14-year drought

A Roshn Saudi League campaign like no other is in the books.

Jeddah giants Al-Ittihad ended their long wait for top-flight glory, while Al-Batin and Al-Adalah dropped into Yelo League.

A series of other substantial events occurred throughout a remarkable campaign which transformed preconceived notions about the Middle East’s premier club competition.

From Cristiano Ronaldo’s paradigm-shifting, mid-season Al-Nassr switch to Al-Hilal’s historic run at the FIFA Club World Cup and beyond, here are Arab News’ highlights from a memorable 2022-23.

Best player

A new benchmark was set for goalkeeping excellence by Ittihad’s Marcelo Grohe.

The Brazil custodian surged past the previous record of 14 clean sheets in a single Pro League campaign, ending with an official Opta tally of 18 (which would be 19 if he had not been afforded deserved adulation by a late substitution in the season finale vs. Al-Tai).

His 58 saves occurred in a title campaign which saw him beaten only 13 times. Remarkably, it took until match week six for him to concede.

Ittihad’s success was built from the back and Grohe laid firm foundations.

Best coach

Ittihad’s missing ingredient to end a 14-year title wait proved to be Nuno Santo.

Last season’s agonizing near miss under Cosmin Contra left a sense of desolation and desire for change. The club’s turn to their bearded ex-Valencia, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur supremo proved astute.

Defensive rigidity was instilled as Egypt center-back Ahmed Hegazi became his conduit on the pitch, with Ittihad letting in five fewer goals than anyone else. But this did not come at a cost up top, with a second-best tally of 60 goals scored helped by 21-goal top marksman Abderrazak Hamdallah.

March’s astute 2-0 victory vs. Nassr and April’s roller coaster 2-1 win against Al-Shabab — more on that later — proved critical junctures.

Breakthrough moment

Saudi Arabian football changed forever on December 30, 2022.

This was when Ronaldo’s heralded arrival was announced and a proud footballing nation’s limitless sporting ambitions became real.

The ex-Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid forward could not deliver silverware for Nassr, despite notching an impressive 14 times in 16 top-flight outings. That must wait for next season.

But he did deliver vast global attention, booming interest in television rights — 48 channels/platforms now broadcast to 170 countries — and packed stands wherever he performed.

Ronaldo has helped set a course for Roshn Saudi League to enter the “top-five leagues in the world.” Enormous intrigue surrounds which stellar names will join him on this quest.

Breakthrough performer

Saudi Arabia’s lineage of elite strikers, from Majed Abdullah to Nasser Al-Shamrani, appears in safe hands with Firas Al-Buraikan.
The Al-Fateh star — who started World Cup 2022’s group-stage victory vs. eventual-champions Argentina — produced a career-best 17 top-flight goals, two more than he had netted in every other campaign combined since his bow in April 2018. This eye-catching tally was enough to make him the league’s fourth-highest scorer.

Best signing

Al-Khaleej required a source of inspiration — and they found one in Fabio Martins.

Pedro Emanuel’s promoted side were 15th on four points prior to the ex-Shabab loanee’s mid-season procurement on a free transfer after an unfulfilled spell at the UAE’s Al-Wahda.

A trio of rejuvenating victories followed in the Portuguese winger’s opening three matches. Martins ended the campaign on seven goals and three assists from 17 run-outs, with Khaleej finishing safe in 14th.

Signing who failed to spark

It seemed the perfect winter replacement for the irreplaceable David Ospina.

Nassr swiftly reacted to the Colombia goalkeeper’s serious elbow injury by loaning Agustin Rossi. The 27-year-old had amassed more than 100 league run-outs for Boca Juniors, been previously called up by Argentina and performed to such a high standard that a pre-contract had been agreed with 2022 Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo.

Reality, however, would prove distinctly underwhelming. February’s shaky debut in a 2-2 draw at Al-Fateh saw him swiftly displaced by Nawaf Al-Aqidi and he only started again two months later when the Saudi Arabia prospect suffered fitness issues of his own.

Best match

“Epic” barely does justice to April 27’s unforgettable 2-1 victory for Ittihad over Shabab.

This was a contest from which three penalties were scored, one critical spot-kick was missed and an 106th-minute winner cemented long-held title aspirations for the victor, while crushing those of the vanquished.

Hamdallah and Cristian Guanca exchanged efforts from 12 yards in an ultra-competitive top-three clash. Referee Srdjan Jovanovic would again point to the spot in the 89th minute, this time for Al-Shabab.

Conjecture followed when Gabon forward Aaron Boupendza took on penalty duties. His “Panenka” chip floated harmlessly into the arms of a grateful Grohe.

Fast forward a quarter of an hour at an electrified King Abdullah Sports City and Hamdallah lobbed home his own penalty. Cue pandemonium in this game for the ages.

Best goal

Ronaldo’s free-kick abilities remained sharp with a sensational 38-yard strike which sparked March’s rousing comeback victory against Abha.

Valuable points appeared to be draining away after Nassr loanee Abdulfattah Adam’s early opener for the visitors went without reply.

This was until the 78th minute when Ronaldo unleashed a ferocious low effort from distance which swerved past the despairing grasp of Cameroon’s emergent 2022 World Cup No. 1, Devis Epassy.

Outstanding achievement

Stratospherically high standards at Hilal mean the 2022-23 season will always be tinged by disappointment.

But this does not provide full context. The Riyadh heavyweights competed with distinction on all fronts, despite a transfer ban and punishing schedule which would have derailed other clubs.

They became the first Asian outfit to reach a FIFA Club World Cup showpiece final, made the final of their AFC Champions League defense and secured a top-three Roshn Saudi League finish.

The dramatic penalty shootout victory — after Ali Al-Bulaihi’s 99th-minute leveler vs.  Al-Wehda — in the King’s Cup decider will never be forgotten.