Saudi Cup - Saftote

Many were drawn to the desert in search of riches but it was Maximum Security who landed the spoils in the world's most valuable race.

The four-year-old (denied in the Kentucky Derby) stretched clear to land the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup, beating Midnight Bisou at the King Abdulaziz racecourse on the outskirts of Riyadh.

It is hard to comprehend the pressure faced by jockey Luis Saez, who rode a finish knowing $10m was at stake, for whom the finishing line must have appeared like a mirage at the end of the long straight.

Saez said: "He broke so well. When he breaks he doesn't pick up the bridle like he used to but when he came into the straight he wanted to win so badly and he fought. This is for America and for my people."

OK so we throw a couple of million US dollars at numerous sporting events,and as an strategic and politically USA aligned partner ,all is good,we even throw in some token Female jockeys just to cover up and disguise the Human Rights atrocities that take place in this ""Kingdom"",including a public cold blooded murder of one of its citizens,
Yip all's good just like apartheid

Exactly Felix... Same story with Dubai huh

watched the crowd at the golf the other week, plenty European businessmen and women in attendance... No locals and deffo no local
women

Long video Race starts at about 11 minutes

Top US jockey Mike Smith has been hit with a nine-day ban and huge fine for excessive use of the whip on runner-up Midnight Bisou in the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup on Saturday.

All jockeys received a ten per cent share of any prize-money and Smith was made to forfeit 60 per cent of his claim to the $3.5m prize-money for second place in the world's richest race, landing him with a fine of more than $200,000.

Smith was given an eight-day suspension for using the whip 14 times, above the permitted level of ten. He was given an additional day for using the aid with no regard for the horse's stride.