Jerome Reynier has learned that Saudi Cup night leaves little room for half-measures. This time, the French trainer is arriving with intent — and with two horses who have already proven they belong on racing’s biggest stages.

From his Marseille base, Reynier will saddle Royal Ascot hero Lazzat (FR) in the G2 1351m Turf Sprint, while Team Valor's Facteur Cheval (IRE) switches back to grass for the G1 Neom Turf Cup over 2100m, part of the USD $39.6 million Saudi Cup meeting at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on February 14.

For Reynier, this marks his third Saudi Cup appearance, having previously sent out Jacinda, who finished 12th in the 2022 Saudi Derby. This year’s duo, however, arrives with deeper résumés — and sharper expectations.

Lazzat: Versatility Meets Precision

Owned by Wathnan Racing, Lazzat has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most adaptable elite sprinters. The son of Territories has won eight of 14 starts, including top-level victories at three and four, and comes into this assignment fresh.

His standout performances include the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over 1300m and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, the latter secured in June 2025 under James Doyle. He was last seen finishing second in the G1 British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October.

Reynier believes the Riyadh turf sprint sets up perfectly.

“He’s in great shape and we feel it’s a perfect race for him,” Reynier said. “The 1351 metres is ideal. Some horses struggle with it, but not him. I’ve had this race in mind for a long time.”

Draw position looms large on the sweeping Riyadh layout, and Reynier is hoping fortune smiles.

“The draw is quite important. If you’re wide, it makes things harder. I’d like to be closer to the rail,” he said. “That said, he breaks well and James knows him well.”

Lazzat has already shown he can travel. He finished second in Australia’s Golden Eagle at Rosehill in November 2024 before running ninth in the G1 Hong Kong Mile five weeks later.

“In Australia they went very fast and he was pressured early — the 1500m just stretched him,” Reynier explained. “In Hong Kong, nothing went right. The pace was slow and Cristian didn’t know him well. Even so, he ran a solid race. He’s a better horse now as a five-year-old.”

Facteur Cheval: Back to Turf, Up in Trip

If Lazzat brings speed, Facteur Cheval brings resilience — and a proven Group 1 engine.

The 2024 Dubai Turf winner for Team Valor International and Gary Barber, Facteur Cheval hasn’t raced since finishing ninth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October, a race in which he had been runner-up the previous two years.

His seventh-place finish in last year’s Saudi Cup dirt race prompted a rethink. This time, Reynier keeps him on grass and stretches him to 2100m for the first time.

“The Queen Elizabeth was tricky,” Reynier said. “We thought we were travelling well behind the favourite, but the ground didn’t suit and we had some bad luck.”

The trainer remains convinced stamina won’t be an issue.

“He’s always running on. Even in the Dubai Turf, he went past the post still full of running,” he said. “On a flat track, on good ground, I’m very confident he’ll stay. He’s seven now, very straightforward, and in great condition.”

Facteur Cheval previously finished sixth in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot over 2000m, but Reynier feels circumstances conspired against him that day.

“He was sent to the front too early. That’s very hard to do at Ascot over that trip. In Riyadh, it’s a different scenario.”

Mickael Barzalona, who partnered the gelding to Dubai Turf success, keeps the ride.

Final Preparations

Both horses will ship from France via Luxembourg on Saturday, February 7, arriving in Riyadh on Sunday morning, February 8. Reynier himself will travel later in the week, landing on race day.

It’s a streamlined operation, but one built on experience — and confidence.

“We’re not coming just to take part,” Reynier said. “Both horses are where they need to be.”

Image DRC