06-03-2025
British champion Murphy back in Riyadh after success at Saudi Cup
RIYADH: Oisin Murphy is returning to Saudi Arabia for the penultimate week of Riyadh Season, and the four-time British champion is seeking to extend his good fortune at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse after his strike on Byzantine Dream in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap.
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The Irishman had belated got off the mark in the country during the Diriyah International Jockeys' Challenge at The Saudi Cup meeting, before his win in the stayers' race which came just before Forever Young and Romantic Warrior's epic conclusion to the main event.
And he has picked up a dazzling book of rides over the three days of this week's racing, standing in for the sidelined Camilo Ospina in the famous white stable colors of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons.
'It was brilliant to win at The Saudi Cup meeting — I thought it was very well organized and it was a fantastic event,' said Murphy.
'I am going to be riding Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week and there are some nice races over the three days.
'I am riding for one of the leading stables as Camilo is unfortunately serving a whip suspension. Hopefully the horses can go very well and we can get some good results.'
His top-class rides include Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup winner, Ireland's Bolide Porto, and the mare Motathabetah from the Kingdom who landed a domestic Group 1 in January and runs in Friday's Abdullah bin Ibrahim Aba Alkhail Award Race.
He also races Carmel Road from the US in the North America Cup on Saturday.
Murphy was amongst the winners at Lingfield Park in the UK on Wednesday having been back in the Middle East last weekend for Super Saturday in Dubai.
'It is a very busy time of year for me but I really enjoy it and it is great to be part of this international schedule, particularly when the horses have chances,' he added.
