For Immediate Release
The $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) proved a showcase for Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduates as Golden Vekoma (Vekoma – Sticks Wondergirl, by Stevie Wonderboy) bested fellow OBS graduate Shin Forever to take the 1,600-meter test on the undercard of the Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22.
(Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley Photo)
Golden Vekoma wore down Shin Forever to score by 1 ¾ lengths. The son of Vekoma had previously earned his first grade/group victory when he annexed the UAE 2000 Guineas S. (G3) by two lengths at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai for owner Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi on Jan. 24.
“These were deep waters…but he showed his class,” Connor Beasley, jockey for Golden Vekoma, told the Saudi Cup publicity team on his Saudi Derby win. “It’s a big day for myself and the whole team.”
Golden Vekoma was purchased by Harmash Racing for $90,000 from the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training from the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment after breezing in :10.2.
Other stakes winners on the weekend included Lea Farms LLC’s multiple Grade 3 winner Super Chow (Lord Nelson – Bonita Mia, by Warrior’s Reward) running down 8-5 favorite Concrete Glory to score a three-quarter-length victory in the $140,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint at Gulfstream Park Feb. 22. The son of Lord Nelson was purchased for $75,000 out of the Eisaman Equine consignment at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale after breezing an eighth in :10 flat. (Under tack video)
At Santa Anita Park Feb. 22, Dutch Girls Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC’s Queen Maxima (Bucchero – Corfu Lady, by Corfu) earned her first stakes win for trainer Jeff Mullins with a 3 ½-length victory in the $100,000 Wishing Well Stakes going six furlongs on the turf. Consigned by Blue River Bloodstock, the daughter of OBS graduate Bucchero was purchased by Michael Pender, agent for $40,000 from the 2023 OBS June sale after breezing in :20.3. (Under tack video)