Tower Of London gave trainer Aidan O'Brien his first winner in Saudi Arabia when getting up on the line under Ryan Moore to win Saturday's $2.5 million Red Sea Handicap over just under two miles.
The four-year-old son of Galileo finished a good fourth in the Doncaster St Leger last September but had not been seen since finishing down the field in the valuable Irish Cesarewitch later that month when favourite.
Moore magic in Riyadh! ??
— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 24, 2024
Ryan Moore gets out of trouble and unleashes TOWER OF LONDON late to land the G3 @longines Red Sea Turf.
A win at #TheSaudiCup for @Ballydoyle. ?? ???? pic.twitter.com/K3S7pynJWU
Tower Of London was again favourite today but he had a wide draw to overcome and was still at the back of the 14-runner field as they turned for home.
Ryan Moore repeatedly found his way blocked and had to switch to the outside before thundering home in the closing stages to catch the leaders and win by a head and a length from British raiders Enemy and Giavelloto.
Earlier on the card Galway-born Rossa Ryan and Donegal's Oisin Orr both won major prizes on British-trained horses.
Ryan partnered the Mick Appleby-trained Annaf to win the Turf Sprint over an extended six furlongs, while Orr was again on board the Richard Fahey-trained Spirit Dancer, who ran out a clear winner of the $2 million Neom Turf Cup over 10 and a half furlongs.
ANNAF for ????!!
— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 24, 2024
A dream run up the rails under @Rossaryan15 in the G2 @snbalahli 1351 Turf Sprint.
Huge congrats, @MickApplebyUK ??#TheSaudiCup pic.twitter.com/gFVWvpW8R9
Spirit Dancer was bred by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and is shared by the breeder with co-owners Ged Mason and Fred Done.
It's Fergie time in Saudi!! ????
— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 24, 2024
SPIRIT DANCER powers home in G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup at #TheSaudiCup.
?? @RichardFahey @OisinOrr pic.twitter.com/V8y6LFNuIA
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Luxembourg started favourite for that race and held every chance, leading a furlong out before being headed and fading to fourth.
"I stayed away from him, and held onto Pete!"
— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 24, 2024
Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason and Peter Done with @tomstanley after SPIRIT DANCER's big win at #TheSaudiCup.
?? ?? pic.twitter.com/SIvQfMHCsJ