Saudi longshot Emblem Road came from behind to claim a shock win in the world’s richest horserace, the $20 million Saudi Cup, in Riyadh on Saturday.
The 66-1 outsider, ridden by Panamanian jockey Wigberto Ramos, stormed up the outside in the home straight to win a five-horse sprint by a head from US trainer Bob Baffert’s Country Grammer.
Ramos and owner Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz were jubilant afterward, as they were surrounded by fans celebrating the race’s first Saudi winner in its third edition.
The $10 million first prize capped a lavish meeting at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt track where 240 horses from 16 countries competed for total prize money of $35.1 million.
Earlier, Christophe Lemaire rode four Japanese winners in the Neom Turf Cup, the Turf Sprint, the Red Sea Turf Handicap, and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
American trainer Baffert, who is battling doping charges after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive last May, won the Saudi Derby with Pinehurst.
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