Saudi series stays home for the first time
RIYADH - The International Jockeys' Challenge presented by Diriyah was won for the first time by a local rider, when Muhammad Aldaham ended up with 30 points after two winning performances on Feb 21.
Victorious in Round 1 with Jawhar Alriyadh and then Round 2 with Jahdoon, Aldaham got off to the best possible start.
Although he could not ride himself into a place in the other two of the four races that make up the event at King Abdulaziz racecourse, the 2025 title was his.
"I'm extremely proud and very honoured to represent my country in the International Challenge," said Aldaham, 32.
"It's good for me and good for my country. I am really happy, I can't tell you how much.
"I came to ride here when I was 16 years old.
"I'm from the countryside and I had lots of help when I was young.
"I was listening after the race and found out that I won and I was so happy. I'm blessed."
Receiving the trophy from Bader bin Maferj, chief of staff at Diriyah, he was able to relax after an exciting afternoon that had started so well for him.
"I know this horse," he said after clinching victory in Round 1, beating the James McDonald-partnered Allah Maae by a head. "He ran really good a month ago."
Aldaham was delighted, while international superstar McDonald, who is going to ride Hong Kong hope Romantic Warrior in The Saudi Cup on Feb 22 (result not known at press time), was left scratching his head.
"I'm disappointed, I thought I was going to win it, but then I finished second," he said.
Aldaham had to dig deep to win Round 1 but was a clear winner on board Jahdoon, who flew down the straight to win Round 2 by 2¾ lengths from the Rachel King-partnered Nasser Almuhamadia.
When Round 3 moved to the turf, the Irish-born Oisin Murphy, who was crowned champion jockey in Britain for the fourth time in 2024, put an end to the local domination.
Partnering the Jimmy Jerkens-trained Honky Tonk Man, he got his name onto the leaderboard and said: "I was delighted to have been invited to take part in the competition and I'd like to thank Prince Bandar and the organisers for producing a world-class event.
"It's my first winner at the Saudi Cup meeting, I've tried for a couple of years and it's been great, you're up against world-class riders."
In Round 4, a 2,100m race on the turf, there was still hope for Murphy to take the championship away from Aldaham, but the finish was entirely dominated by the female jockeys.
The Australian-based King showed off her incredible talent with a well-timed late surge from the back.
On board Miyagi, she picked off the leading horses one by one,finishing five lengths from the Kelly Myers-partnered Monsieur Jumbo and the Sofia Vives-ridden Pretty Flag.
"It worked out really well in the race," said King. "My instructions were to switch him off early and he finished super. I managed to save a lot of ground and a lot of horse."
The 15 points for the win, on top of her 10 points for her second on Nasser Almuhamadia in Round 2, ensured that British-born King finished second in the championship.
McDonald did not win a race this time, but finished third on the leaderboard after collecting 21 points for a second in Round 1, seven points for a third in Round 2 and four points for a fourth place in Round 3.
JOCKEY CLUB OF SAUDI ARABIA
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