The $20 million Saudi Cup, the richest horse race in the world, has seen another high-profile withdrawal. Soul of an Angel, the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint champion, will not participate in the event scheduled for February 22 in Riyadh. This decision follows a trend of U.S. horses opting out of the competition.
Soul of an Angel’s Withdrawal
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed that Soul of an Angel was “ready to run” but decided to pull her from the race. Instead, she will return to training and prepare for the Madison Stakes (G1) on April 5. The 6-year-old mare was placed two deep on the reserve list for the Saudi Cup before connections made the final decision on Sunday.
A Growing List of U.S. Horses Opting Out
Soul of an Angel isn’t the only American horse skipping the Saudi Cup. Locked, another top contender, was also withdrawn over the weekend and will now be pointed toward the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 1.
Previously, Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, and White Abarrio, winner of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), had already been redirected to different races, continuing the trend of U.S. horses withdrawing from the Saudi Cup.
The Last American Hope
With multiple U.S. contenders exiting, Rattle N Roll remains the only American horse expected to compete in the Saudi Cup. The six-time graded stakes winner recently claimed victory in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (G3) last month in Riyadh, securing his spot in the lineup.
Why Are Horses Skipping the Saudi Cup?
The reasons behind these withdrawals vary, but common factors may include travel concerns, scheduling conflicts, and strategic race planning by trainers and owners. With major races like the Santa Anita Handicap and the Madison Stakes on the horizon, some connections may prefer to keep their horses closer to home.
The Saudi Cup’s field continues to shift as more American horses withdraw. Soul of an Angel’s decision to skip the race marks another significant change to the lineup, leaving Rattle N Roll as the sole U.S. representative. With the race approaching, all eyes will be on how these shifts impact the final roster.
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