A WEEK later and racing fans all over the world are still in shock over the success of the locally trained Emblem Road in the $20 million Saudi Cup.

Trained by Mitab Almulawah and ridden by Wigberto ‘Wiggy’ Ramos, Emblem Road is a prolific winner in his homeland but was expected to be up against it taking on the best performers from America, Japan and Europe.

Sent on his way at 80/1, Emblem Road was only seventh turning into the straight when it looked like the huge prize money was sure to head to America.

Bob Baffert’s Country Grammer and the Steve Asmussen-trained Midnight Bourbon looked set to fight out a famous finish with Making Miracles, who won the 2019 Chester Cup for Mark Johnston, just behind them.

However, Emblem Road, a stablemate of Making Miracles, was beginning to hit top gear down the centre of the track.

Inevitable

Even with half a furlong to run and with Emblem Road still over a length down, the result began to look inevitable and the home crowd started to go wild.

Ramos began his celebrations on crossing the line and he looked as dumbfounded as the rest. Country Grammer was second with Midnight Bourbon third.

There were some big disappointments, including last year’s winner Mishriff for John and Thady Gosden, Brad Cox’s Mandaloun and the Japanese star T O Keynes.

For Saudi Arabian racing, this was an extraordinary result. Emblem Road, a four-year-old American-bred son of Quality Road, was a $230,000 Keeneland yearling but failed to sell at the breeze-ups, bidding stopping at just $70,000.

He had only raced in Saudi Arabia, where he was taking his record to eight wins from 11 starts.

He was prepared by trainer Mitab Almulawah and carried the white and blue silks of Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz.

Winning jockey Ramos is from Panama but has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia forover 20 years. He said: “I broke good and my horse was very strong. He wanted to go early, but I took my time with him and took a little hold and saw another horse, so then I just waited for the 500m to ask him.

Good position

“The key on this track is that you have to be near the front when you pass the 800m. If you’re near, you are in a good position and outside is the best part of the track. It’s a big turn, so when you put a horse who comes from behind all the way on the outside, they finish a lot better.

“I knew that I could do it, but now that I’ve done it, I still don’t believe it. I beat so many good horses and this is the biggest race in the world. I think he could go on to the Dubai World Cup. He’s the kind of horse who can do it.”

There were various excuses put forward for some the fancied horses who disappointed. T O Keynes never settled, Real World didn’t like the dirt track and Sealiway resented the kickback. David Egan felt there was “something amiss” with last year’s winner Mishriff, who finished last.