Emblem Road runs out a shock 80-1 winner in $20MILLION Saudi Cup to take victory ahead of US pair Country Grammer and Midnight Bourbon in world’s richest horse race
- Emblem Road beat Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammar by a half-length
- Ridden by Wiggy Ramos, the Saudi-trained horse ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.52
- Turning into the straight, he was only seventh but launched an incredible charge
Emblem Road was a shock winner of the world’s richest horse race, the Saudi Cup in Riyadh on Saturday.
The Saudi-trained horse rallied with a wide, sweeping move on the outside to win the $20million (£14.9m) Saudi Cup at 80-1 odds.
Emblem Road beat Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammar by a half-length and beat out the US horse and Midnight Bourbon.
Emblem Road was a shock 80-1 winner of the world’s richest horse race, the Saudi Cup
Ridden by Wiggy Ramos, Emblem Road ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.52 in the world’s richest horse race at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Turning into the straight, the US-bred horse was only seventh and with half a furlong to run was still a length down but ultimately took the victory to earn $10m (£7.4m) for the win.
It was a huge win for Saudi-based trainer Mitab Almulawah and owner Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz. Their other entry, Making Miracles, finished fourth.
The Saudi-trained horse beat Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammar by a half-length
Emblem Road has seven wins in nine career starts. His sire, Quality Road, was a standout who won the Florida Derby and other Grade 1 races in the US.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, 5-year-old Country Grammar was coming off a 270-day layoff. He had not raced since winning the Hollywood Gold Cup last May. He earned $3.5m (£2.6m) for finishing second.
Baffert was handed a 90-day suspension by Kentucky racing officials that is set to begin March 8. He plans to appeal.
