Juddmonte homebred Laurel River, co-winner of the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse award last month, will miss an intended start in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 22. The news was first reported by racing broadcaster Nick Luck Feb. 12.
The 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner was aiming to become the first horse to win both of the world's richest races, but an April 5 title defense at Meydan is still on the schedule according to trainer Bhupat Seemar.
"He had a small setback in training and missed his intended workout for the Saudi Cup," Seemar said in a statement posted on X by the Dubai Racing Club. "We will keep him in Dubai and aim him at the Dubai World Cup."
Bred by Juddmonte in Kentucky, Laurel River started his career in the United States with trainer Bob Baffert, winning four of seven starts with a 2022 victory in Del Mar's Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2). He made his Dubai debut in January of 2024 and won the Burj Nahaar (G3) in early March prior to his World Cup domination.
After his 8 1/2-length tour de force in the World Cup, Laurel River rested for the remainder of 2024 with a target on the world's richest races this season. He returned Jan. 24 with a runner-up effort in which he set the pace and was nailed on the wire in the Firebreak Stakes (G3).
