Dubai World Cup runner-up Gronkowski heads up a strong Phoenix Thoroughbreds team potentially heading to the Saudi Cup and its undercard.
The entries for the new richest race in the World were revealed on Tuesday. The investment fund has eight horses slated to head to Riyadh with two more from the Phoenix Ladies Syndicate hoping to join them.
Part owned by leading Saudi owner Khalid bin Mishref, Gronkowski has long had the Saudi Cup on is radar as one of his main targets for the year and Salem bin Ghadyer’s charge could be joined in the feature by stablemates Axelrod, Captain Von Trapp and “the ladies” Talento Puma. Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Deja is also given a tentative entry.
All four Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned runners in the Saudi Cup also carry an entry in the Neom Turf, to be run over 2100m and Deja, who has been gelded since his last run in the UK, also has the option of the Red Sea Turf handicap for stayers.
The Phoenix Ladies representative Crseven is the group’s sole entry in the Saudi Derby. Al Battar, Pocket Dynamo and Debonair Don Juan are slated for both the turf and dirt sprints with Neverland Rock also a possibility for the grass option.
The Saudi Cup and it’s undercard is the richest race day in the World and will is to be staged for the first time on February 29.