Jane Chapple-Hyam's Albadri (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) will take part in the $1.5-million Saudi Derby on the $20-million Saudi Cup undercard on Feb. 20. A winner on debut, the bay colt raced exclusively in stakes company in his next four starts, with his best finish a fifth in the G3 Tattersalls S. in September. His final 2020 appearance was a sixth in the G3 Horris Hill S. two starts later on Oct. 24. In his latest run, he handled the Southwell synthetic well and saluted by a length in a handicap there on Jan. 28.
“We might be a 100-1 shot, but we got an invitation so may as well give it a go,” said the Suffolk trainer. “He went on the nearest I could find to dirt in England–which is Southwell. Hollie [Doyle] was pleased with him, and he won.
“He's going out in really good order, and I'm flying out there tonight [Monday]. It's very competitive, but every now and again you've got to dip your toe in the deep end. It's not a massive field–and because we got the invite, the owners were keen, so why not?”
She added, “Hopefully we can finish in the prize money–which would help–and he's come out of his race at Southwell very well, and he went into that needing it. He'll have been about 85% fit, so he's bang on song now. We've always liked him. I've always felt he would make up into a 100-rated horse, so he needs to prove that on Saturday.
“They'll go quick, with the Americans and Japanese. When he won on debut he came from off the pace, but he made the running last time–so he's versatile. Hollie rode him in the Horris Hill and got a really good feel off him that day, which is important to me because she believes in the horse. Hollie's on again.”
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