Racing's latest frontier passes turf test ahead of world's richest race

Saudi Arabia is a new frontier of international racing yet there were some familiar faces at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Wednesday as its first ever turf track was put to the test.

The country is preparing to open its doors to the world next month for the inaugural Saudi Cup, worth an unprecedented $20 million, as sport, politics and money meet in a desert spectacular.

Its eight-race meeting on February 29 includes three turf contests and has attracted almost 1,000 nominations, including Ghaiyyath, whose trainer Charlie Appleby was impressed by the new surface.