Taif Derby Prep Takes Centre Stage

Runners from the Saudi 2000 Guineas poised to do battle

Image:King Khalid Racecourse, Taif. Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia

Wednesday 30 July 2025 – Several key trials take place at King Khalid Racecourse this weekend with 2000 Guineas fourth Faal Khair (USA) and fifth Mhalhal (USA) set to clash once again in Saturday’s 1600m Taif Derby Prep.

The ninth event on the 10-race card has assembled a field of 15 with Faal Khair bidding to continue on an upward curve following a successful season in Riyadh, peaking with his effort in the 2000 Guineas on January 25.

Camilo Ospina’s mount is one of two in the race carrying the white stable colours of the Sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and both he and Jeddah Beach are trained by Ahmed Mohamoud.

Mhalhal, representing Kuwaiti owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, trainer Thamer AlDaihani and Saudi Cup International Jockey Challenge winning rider, Muhammad Aldaham, was another improver last season and is out to cement his claims on the Taif Derby on August 23.

Race 10 is the Taif Derby Cup Preparatory for Arabian horses, also staged over 1600m, and features a couple of highly-rated individuals including Wasib (FR) from the Safwat Aladyat Stable, trained by Abdulaziz Almosa and ridden by Naif Alanazi.

He will clash with HM Al Nasrallah (FR), trained by Salem Alruwais and ridden by Abdullah Alhussain, in the 12-strong field with the mare having just her second start since finishing seventh in the Group 1 Al Mneefah Cup on Saudi Cup weekend.

Also on Saturday is the preparatory round for the Taif University Cup, over a distance of 1400m, and sees the quick reappearance of the Sami Alharabi-trained Saodad (KSA) after he finished fourth last week with Adel Alfouraidi taking over in the saddle.

The main event on Friday’s programme is the Makkah Almokarramah Reg. Gov.Cup Prep over 1600m where AlDihani again looks to hold a big chance with Uncle (GB), who was a Listed winner earlier in the year and ran eighth in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint.

One of his main rivals will be Tuwaiq Cup second Waqtuk (USA) for Alfouraidi and trainer Abdulaziz Almosa, while Nicolas Bachalard sends out Henry Q under Alexis Moreno for owner Prince Saud Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz.

All the action can be viewed live here: www.youtube.com/@JCSA_Racing/streams

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