Arab News Japan

Japan struck it big in Saudi Arabia with Panthalassa, ridden by Yutaka Yoshida and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, winning the Saudi Cup at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.

The Japanese winner beat out Frankie Dettori and Country Grammer in the $20 million Group 1 Saudi Cup.

Japan dominated in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint when Bathrat Leon, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai and trained by Yoshito Yahagi, cantered home.

There was another winner for Japan when Silver Sonic, ridden by jockey Damian Lane and trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, stormed to victory in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap.

It was heartbreak for Bob Baffert and his runner Country Grammer, who was also narrowly denied in the world’s most valuable race last year. The American trainer is still seeking a Saudi Cup victory.

Panthalassa set off at a blistering pace on a strong gallop at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse and could not be caught.

Panthalassa’s pace put the whole field under pressure from the beginning, and at one point during the sprint, it looked like it could be a Japanese one-two-three-four.

Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori pulled a late rally out of Country Grammer toward the end, but the winning line came up just too soon as he was narrowly denied once again.