Saudi Cup to feature German Derby winner Sisfahan for Red Sea Turf

RIYADH: Henk Grewe’s 2021 German Derby winner Sisfahan is set to embark on a trip to Saudi Arabia in the New Year, with the four-year-old being targeted for the Saudi Cup Group 3 Red Sea Turf Cup Handicap on Feb. 25.

Sisfahan, who runs in the colors of Darius Racing and Michael Motschmann, had been due to line up in the 3,000-meter contest last year, but was forced to miss the race after suffering an injury in training.

Holger Faust, racing manager of Darius Racing, said: “It was the plan to run him there last year, but he got injured, so it was disappointing to miss the race.

“We’ve been thinking about it all year and I’m glad he’s come back at the right time this year, so he’s ready for the race.”

After nearly a year off the track, the four-year-old returned in the G1 Preis von Europa over 2,400 meters in September, and built upon that to win the G2 Gran Premio Jockey Club, over the same distance, at San Siro a month later.

“He had a fracture and an operation in January and for a horse to come back in September is quite early,” Faust said.

“We didn’t really have a race for him, but we decided to bring him back in a Group 1 because it was on his home track. He finished last in that race, but we were all fine with that and with his performance.

“We were quite confident for the race in Italy. He won that race and it was brilliant to see him coming back like this.”

Faust is optimistic that his first attempt at 3,000 meters will suit the son of Isfahan. “To me he is a classical 2,400-meter horse, but I don’t think he minds further. When you see him winning his races, he wins with a lot of stamina.

“Also, when jockeys ride him, they say he’s hard to stop after his races, so he’s got this attitude and he looks like