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Great Scot sold to Saudi Arabia with world's richest race in mind

Great Scot: retains his unbeaten record at Haydock in spectacular style
Great Scot: signed off for Tom Dascombe with an easy win at HaydockCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Great Scot, who put in a career-best performance to win the Group 3 Superior Mile at Haydock last month, has been sold to continue his career in Saudi Arabia, with the world's richest race now on his agenda.

Sold out of Tom Dascombe's yard in Cheshire for an undisclosed fee, the 112-rated three-year-old has been purchased with the $20m Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz racecourse in Riyadh on February 29 in mind.

A Listed winner at two, Great Scot finished ninth to Magna Grecia in the 2,000 Guineas in May and landed a first success of the year with a runaway win at Haydock on what proved to be his last start for Dascombe and the Empire State Racing Partnership.

"He won at Haydock on the Saturday, they called on Sunday, vetted him on Monday and he left Wednesday," said Dascombe. "There was no messing about and all I know is that he's been bought by a Saudi trainer. Apparently, the dirt track [in Riyadh] is like soft ground, which is why they want soft-ground horses, which he loves."

Placed in both the Greenham and German 2,000 Guineas this year, Dascombe is in no doubt new connections have a smart prospect.

"He was great for us," said the trainer. "The only problem we had with him was that he just got very keen after his first race as a three-year-old and gelding him made the difference.

"He hosed up in his last race and I'm disappointed to lose him, but if he does well for anybody else then it's good for them. He's nearly proved himself to be a Group 1 horse and, even if he finishes third in the race [Saudi Cup], it's a lot of prize-money."


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