Joseph O’Brien Celebrates Major Win at Saudi Cup with Sons And Lovers

Irish jockey Joseph O’Brien achieved a significant milestone in his career on March 4, 2023, as his horse Sons And Lovers triumphed in the prestigious Red Sea Turf Handicap during Saudi Cup night in Riyadh. This victory, which came just one day after O’Brien celebrated his 1,500th winner as a trainer, marked one of the largest prize money pots in his professional journey, with the race featuring a staggering purse of €2.1 million.

In a thrilling contest, Sons And Lovers, who started as a 8/1 underdog, secured victory by half a length over Tabletalk, trained by Tom Clover. The third-place horse, Tarriance, trained by Andrew Balding, finished a further neck behind. After the race, O’Brien praised both the horse’s performance and the strategic riding of jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

“He’s really developed well and it’s obviously a career-best tonight,” O’Brien stated. “It was his first time at the distance, and he was a little bit keen early. Dylan gave him a lovely ride and got him to relax down the back straight.” He also hinted at future plans for the horse, mentioning that “Dubai is a legitimate possibility for his next run,” expressing his deep satisfaction with the win.

O’Brien acknowledged the significance of competing on an international stage, saying, “It’s a real privilege to come to Saudi and places like here to compete. It’s even more special to win.”

Forever Young Makes History

In another captivating moment from the evening, Forever Young made history by becoming the first horse to win the world’s richest race, the Saudi Cup, twice. Expertly trained by Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young has garnered international accolades, including an unforgettable showdown last year against Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior.

During the race, jockey Ryusei Sakai faced a tense situation while boxed in behind Banishing along the rail. As the race progressed, Nysos, trained by Bob Baffert, posed a significant challenge on the home turn. Nonetheless, Forever Young found a gap and displayed remarkable stamina to clinch victory once again.

“He gave me an unbelievable feeling all the time through the race,” said Yahagi. “Of course, I had a lot of pressure on me before the race as he was the best in the field. I think it’s not my training that makes him this great horse; I think the horse is just made like a champion.”

Looking ahead, Yahagi confirmed that the next target for Forever Young would be the Dubai World Cup, emphasizing the intent to build on this recent success. He expressed confidence in Sakai, noting his growth and development as a jockey.

Sakai reflected on the race, stating, “He’s an amazing horse, two times in the Saudi Cup, and I just trust him. I had no worries; there was no pressure. This is my job, the same every time. I’m very proud of him and I want to thank everyone who supported the team.”

Baffert, who narrowly missed the top spot again, commented on the race dynamics, stating, “This race is almost like the Kentucky Derby because unless you win, second isn’t that exciting.” He acknowledged the strong performance of Forever Young while expressing disappointment in Nysos’s effort, noting, “I was really disappointed in him because he was really going over this track very well.”

As the racing world looks toward future events, both O’Brien and Yahagi’s accomplishments at the Saudi Cup serve as a testament to their skill and dedication in the sport. With significant victories and promising prospects on the horizon, the excitement of international horse racing continues to captivate fans and participants alike.