STRAIGHT in the desert
- Luis Kimmel
- 14. Feb.
- 4 Min. Lesezeit
This year's Saudi Cup Meeting at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh (Saudi-Arabia) will take place on the 21st and 22nd of February. STRAIGHT (Zarak), the star of Gestüt Karlshof and currently the highest rated German horse, will travel to the Middle East this weekend. His target will be the Howden Neom Turf Cup, a Gorup 2 race with prize money totaling two million dollars. The race is part of Saudi Cup Night on February 22nd and is run over 2100 metres. Prize money totalling 38.1 million dollars will be paid out over the weekend. Straight is the only German hopeful making his way to the desert in 2025. GaloppDaily was able to talk to Holger Faust, Racing Manager and co-owner of Gestüt Karlshof, and provides interesting insights!
"Straight is due to fly to Saudi Arabia a week before the race. The preparation is actually the same as for any other race. The problem is the extreme difference in weather conditions. We have winter in Germany and in Saudi-Arabia it will be 25 degrees or more. It depends on the individual horse whether it can cope with these different conditions," says Faust about Straight's travel plans. "Natascha Grewe will accompany him, she has enough experience for such adventures."
In addition to the invitation for the Neom Turf Cup, Straight also received an invitation for the H.H. The Amir Trophy in Qatar. According to Faust, they decided against starting in Doha as they do not want to meet REBEL'S ROMANCE (Dubawi) again yet. They decided in favour of Saudi Arabia and will hardly have to bear any costs for this trip thanks to the invitation. "Trainers, jockeys and owners will also be invited at the organiser's expense. There are almost no costs, as should be the case with an invitation."
In the G1 Mehl-Mülhens-Stiftung - 62. Preis von Europa, Straight was only beaten by a neck by REBEL'S ROMANCE (Dubawi). On this day last September, the Gestüt Karlshof bred showed his career best performance and was given an official rating of 119. This performance against one of the best in the world was decisive for an invitation to Saudi-Arabia. "With a performance like that, Straight was attractive enough for the organisers to take part in such a prestigious raceday," said a delighted Faust.
“Thore Hammer Hansen rode him at his best”
The 2024 season went almost perfectly for German Champion Jockey Thore Hammer Hansen. He won the G1 IDEE 155th German Derby with PALLADIUM (Gleneagles) and the G1 Allianz Grosser Preis von Bayern with ASSISTENT (Sea The Moon). In addition, he won further seven Group races in Germany and had placings with PENALTY (Frankel) in the G2 Coolmore St Mark's Basilica German 2000 Guineas and, of course, on Straight in the aforementioned Preis von Europa. The duo went into the race as the longest outsider and demanded everything from Godolphin's Globetrotter Rebel's Romance right to the line. The choice of rider in Saudi-Arabia therefore already a done deal. "Thore will also ride him in the morning gallops in Riyadh," Holger Faust told GaloppDaily.
Another start in the Middle East doesn't seem out of the question either: "We always plan start after start. If he runs a good race and everything is fine with him, he could then move on to Dubai." A similar route has already been taken in recent years with 2021 German Derby winner SISFAHAN (Isfahan). Back then, Holger Faust was also responsible as Racing Manager. Sisfahan was able to earn over 100,000€ in four starts in the Middle East in 2024 and 2023.
"On a perfect day, Straight can beat any horse"
If everything goes according to plan, there could well be a rematch between Straight and Rebel's Romance in April. Rebel's Romance runs in Saturdays aforementioned H.H. The Amir Trophy before trying to defend his title in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. Sisfahan came tenth in this race last year. "Straight is probably a better horse than Sisfahan at his best, but unfortunately, unlike Sisfahan, he is not as consistent in his form. On a day with an A-game performance, Straight can beat any horse. If something doesn't suit him, it will be difficult."
In addition to his second place behind Rebel's Romance, Straight proved his class with a third place in the G1 153rd Wettstar.de Grosser Preis von Baden and a victory in the G2 Sparkasse KölnBonn – Union-Rennen. Nevertheless, the son of ZARAK (Dubawi) also caused headaches for his team on several occasions. For example, after the G1 IDEE 154th German Derby when he only crossed the line in 15th place as the favourite. To this day, there is no 100 per cent certainty in Straight's team about the reason for the strong fluctuations in form. "He has also had a lot of bad luck in his career to date. When luck is on his side, he can achieve a lot," says Faust, assessing his protégé's career to date.
First son of Zarak in Germany?
With COUNTERATTACK (Redoute's Choice), Gestüt Karlshof has its own stallion. It's natural to assume that Straight could also move into a box at the stud next year. He would then be the first son of superstar Zarak standing at stud in Germany. "That could be a plan, but horse racing is also a day-to-day business," concludes Holger Faust about Straight.
What do you think about the chances of Straight in Riyadh?
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Cover photo: Marc Rühl
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