By Alan Carasso
Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah's Al Haram (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), unbeaten and untouched in three tries entering Saturday's $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby, came with a barnstorming run through the final 200 meters and raced over the top of a pair of raiding rivals to score by a widening 1 1/4 lengths over 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Obliteration (Violence) and hot favorite Satono Voyage (Jpn) (Into Mischief).
The victory was worth 30 points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, though he was not among the original nominees to the series when entries closed in late January. He can be supplemented for $6,000 at the second stage in early April.
Having debut as late as last November with a course-and-distance victory, the £150,000 purchase out of the 2024 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale thrashed a field of local 3-year-olds when running out 7 1/4 lengths to the good in the 2000 Guineas, the final Saudi Derby prep back on Jan. 17.
Beaten for speed, as largely expected, Al Haram settled right at the back of the field, as Obliteration showed the way, with Satono Voyage glued to his outside and Nashua Stakes and Jerome Stakes winner My World (Essential Quality) also in the phalanx widest out.
Patiently handled throughout by leading local rider Ricardo Ferreira, Al Haram commenced a rally three furlongs from home and was in full gear by the time Obliteration and Satono Voyage peeled away from the rest of their rivals. The pair looked as if they were going to settle it, but Al Haram split rivals decisively with 200 meters to travel and savaged the line to win going away. Obliteration just got the better of Satono Voyage for second.
“It was very special because I think this horse is the best one I have ridden in my life,” said Ferreira. “The stable have done a really good job. This horse has improved race by race. He wants a little more distance. I think he's better with 2000 meters, but this was the goal for this weekend, to win this race. He doesn't jump well but he comes step by step.”
Ultimately, a trip to Churchill Downs remains a possibility, but Al Haram does hold an entry for the G2 UAE Derby (1900m) at Meydan on Mar. 28 and that could well be the next port of call.
Sheikh Faisal Al Sabah, son of Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, owner's representative, said: “He's a champion, he's an amazing horse. From the beginning here in Saudi Arabia he's been fascinating us.
“He showed his class today and hopefully the next stop the UAE Derby. Hopefully he is good enough to be in the Kentucky Derby, he's a very good horse.”
Of the runner-up, assistant trainer Scott Blasi commented: “It was a really good effort. Kind of took the worst of it and really finished on well. I'm super proud of him.”
Pedigree Notes:
Al Haram is a rare stakes winner on the dirt for his sire, who was being represented by his 104th to succeed at the black-type level, 51 group or graded winners.
Al Haram is the lone starter from an unraced full-sister to the crack sprinter Limato (Ire), whose 13 career victories include two of the premier short-track events in Europe, the G1 Darley July Cup and the G1 Prix de la Foret. He was placed in a further four elite-level sprints, including the Diamond Jubilee Stakes , Nunthorpe Stakes and Commonwealth Cup. This is also the female family of G1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes winner Compton Admiral (GB).
Liberamente is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Clink (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) that was sold for 30,000gns at Tattersalls October last fall and a yearling colt by Mehmas (Ire).
Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
SAUDI DERBY (Presented by ZOOD Realty)-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-14, NH/SH3yo, 1600m, 1:38.45, ft.
1–AL HARAM (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Iffraaj (GB)
1st Dam: Liberamente (Ire), by Tagula (Ire)
2nd Dam: Come April (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: So Admirable (GB), by Suave Dancer
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (£150,000 Ylg '24 GOFPRE). O-Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah; B-Seamus Phelan (Ire); T-Abdullah Alsidrani; J-Ricardo Ferreira; $900,000. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $587,333. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Obliteration, 126, c, 3, Violence–I'mclassyandsassy, by Master Command. ($200,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard. O-Leland Acklerley Racing, LLC, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe & John Cilia; B-Ocala Stud (KY); T-Steve Asmussen; J-Joel Rosario; $300,000.
3–Satono Voyage (Jpn), 126, Into Mischief–Jolie Olimpica (Brz), by Drosselmeyer. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Hajime Satomi; B-Shimokobe Farm (Jpn); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Keita Tosaki; $150,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3/4, 2 1/4.
Also Ran: Wonder Dean (Jpn), Keiai Agito (Jpn), Tuwajeri (Ire), Acknowledgmepls, Very Connected, Best Green (Jpn), Union Security, My World, Tokai Ma Cherie (Jpn), Shayem (Ire), Cielo Di Roma (Fr). Click for the JCSA chart and VIDEO (SC 2).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
