Jane Chapple-Hyam and Hollie Doyle plotting successful course for Albadri at Saudi Cup

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam (R) landed in Riyadh earlier in the week and has already seen Albadri, who will be ridden by Hollie Doyle (L), have a few positive run outs on the track. (AFP/File Photos)
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  • Alsharq Racing-owned horse will take part in the $1.5 million Al-Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby on Saturday, February 20

DUBAI: The inaugural Saudi Cup last year made headlines around the world for being the first time that female jockeys had raced competitively in the Kingdom.

But as several of those riders noted, they were long established in racing and the day can鈥檛 come soon enough when the distinction is not worth mentioning any more.

Still, the 2021 edition of the world鈥檚 richest horse race includes an all-female trainer-jockey combination that will hope to cause an upset at the $1.5 million Al Rajhi Bank Saudi Derby on Saturday, February 20.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam landed in Riyadh earlier in the week and has already seen Albadri, who will be ridden by Hollie Doyle, have a few positive run outs on the track.

鈥淗e鈥檚 already had three canters on the main dirt track, and he鈥檚 handled that well,鈥� she said. 鈥淎lso this morning they had the lights on, so that was good for him to familiarize the track when the lights are on, because he鈥檚 running at 7.10 that night. So that鈥檚 a bonus that we had that little experience.鈥�

The three-year-old Albadri is owned by Alsharq Racing and is a Representative of Team British Racing, an initiative led by Great British Racing International to promote the nation鈥檚 trainers on the world stage.

It鈥檚 the trainer鈥檚 first experience of the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, and she has been very impressed with what she鈥檚 seen so far.

鈥淭he surface is fantastic,鈥� Chapple-Hyam said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the best dirt surface I鈥檝e ever seen, it鈥檚 wonderful. And it鈥檚 very kind on the horse鈥檚 legs.

鈥淚鈥檝e only watched Saudi Cup on television, last year in Dubai,鈥� she added. 鈥淎nd I鈥檝e seen lots of videos on social media but it鈥檚 nice to see it live and feel the track, it鈥檚 fantastic.鈥�

Luckily for Chapple-Hyam, Albadri鈥檚 preparations were not disrupted to any extent by the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淲e鈥檙e lucky we鈥檙e based in Newmarket and we鈥檙e very aware of the COVID-19 rules and regulations that are put in place by the British Horseracing Authority,鈥� she said. 鈥淓veryone abides by the rules, and we鈥檙e able to carry on training, so it worked well.鈥�

Albadri might not be one of the favorites for Saturday鈥檚 race but Chapple-Hyam has full confidence in Doyle, who recently finished third in the 2020 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, to get the best out of him.

鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be tough because we鈥檙e drawn out wide but at least then we鈥檙e not in low getting all the kickback,鈥� Chapple-Hyam said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a long back straight, and Hollie knows him, and she went with him the other day at Southwell where he won. He鈥檇 come from behind, so on the big day we鈥檒l leave it up to Hollie to see how he jumps but I鈥檓 fully aware that the Americans and Japanese will be quick out of the gate, since that鈥檚 their style of racing.鈥�

Like many of the top horses coming from Britain, Albadri could be back in the Middle East in the near future.

鈥淎lbadri is in the UAE Derby and he鈥檚 in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket so we just have to see how we get on after the race, and how he comes out of the race, and where he finishes,鈥� his trainer said.

Sunday will see some big decisions being made regarding Albadri but he will not be the only horse that Chapple-Hyam will have in mind for the Dubai World Cup at the end of March.

鈥淚鈥檓 hopeful for a horse that trained in Dubai last year, Ambassadorial, and he鈥檚 pencilled in for the Godolphin mile on the day,鈥� she added.

For now it鈥檚 all eyes on the Saudi Derby under the floodlights on Saturday. And potentially more history for Chapple-Hyam, Doyle and Albadri.