Horseracing-Panthalassa edges out Nation Grammer to win Saudi Cup
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(Reuters) – Japanese rider Yutaka Yoshida rode Panthalassa to victory within the Saudi Cup on Saturday, edging out Frankie Dettori and Nation Grammar on the planet’s richest race.
Panthalassa, at 16-1, shot out of the gate at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, placing the sector below stress and holding off a late rally from Nation Grammar to take the $20-million prize.
“It’s unbelievable. I’ve no phrases. I’m very, very comfortable. He was in stall one, so I mentioned it was okay to go to the entrance,” Yoshida mentioned after the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Panthalassa sealed the win.
“This win is greater than every other I’ve had –- in fact it’s the greatest feeling, as a result of the prize cash is the most effective, too.
“I actually cannot consider it in the intervening time. It doesn’t really feel actual however I would prefer to say because of my workers and the horse. Profitable this isn’t simple.”
Bob Baffert-trained Nation Grammer was additionally narrowly crushed in Saudi Arabia final 12 months however went on to win on the Dubai World Cup.
“He ran a brilliant race, I used to be outpaced all the best way, I travelled to remain and thought I’d be sixth actually, then all of them died and bless him, he is bought a lot coronary heart,” Dettori mentioned.
“I stayed on properly, however his recreation is a mile-and-a-quarter and we return to Dubai. I used to be manner again as a result of I could not lay up. I pushed him all the best way. It was a brilliant run.”
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; modifying by Clare Fallon)
