Tilal AI-Khalediah steals show in Taif with victory in Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup

TAIF: It was business as usual on the biggest day of the season at King Khalid Racecourse in Taif, as Tilal AI-Khalediah (KSA) made his return to action with back-to-back wins in the $270,000 Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup.

Arguably one of the world’s most recognized and celebrated purebred Arabians, the star of Nasser Mutlaq’s stable took the Listed event over 2000m for the second consecutive year under jockey Adel Al-Fouraidi.

The wins set up a lucrative Riyadh season where the multiple Group 1 winner has twice triumphed in the Obaiyah Arabian Classic on Saudi Cup night. He returned to the winner’s enclosure to record a 16th career success following his defeat on Dubai World Cup night in March.

Wathab Al-Mashaheer (KSA) landed the other $270,000 race and took his career record to three from three under Abdullah Al-Saedi in the Group 3 King Faisal Cup over 1600m for three-year-olds.

The most valuable thoroughbred event of the day was the $186,600 Okaz Cup, sponsored by Boutique Group, which was captured by Alaham (IRE) in the hands of Aseel Al-Sarhani, with the pair impressive winners over the 2000m.

However, the day was dominated by the White Stables of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons who sent out three winners, highlighted by the victory of Nowafaa (KSA) in the $133,300 Taif Cup Fillies Open, sponsored by Saudi National Bank.

The three-year-old was following up her Taif Flower Festival Cup success under Camilio Ospina for trainer Bader Rizaiq and led home a sea of white, with King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons also responsible for the second and third-placed Fallat Kheir (KSA) and Moatazah (USA).

Naif Alanazi caused an upset in the equivalent Taif Cup Open for colts and geldings, sponsored by NHC, as he