Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle are already operating at the highest level of their professions, and on Saudi Cup night they will take that momentum onto one of racing’s richest international stages.

The Irish duo will combine in the two premier turf events on the Saudi Cup undercard at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday, February 14, with O’Brien fielding a powerful team across both races and Browne McMonagle booked for key rides.

Still just 32, O’Brien has compressed an extraordinary career into a short timeframe, first reaching the summit as a champion jockey before establishing himself as a multiple Group 1-winning trainer. His stable will be led by Galen (GB) in the G1 Neom Turf Cup, while three runners have been aimed at the G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap.

Browne McMonagle, ten years younger, continues his rapid ascent. Crowned Irish Champion Jockey for the first time last season, he has already recorded elite-level victories in four major racing jurisdictions. Among the highlights was his success at last year’s Breeders’ Cup, where he partnered Ethical Diamond (IRE) for Willie Mullins.

“These are races we targeted before. It is top-class international racing, they are competitive, and the prize money is excellent,” O’Brien said.

The O’Brien–Browne McMonagle partnership has flourished both in Ireland and overseas, and Saudi Arabia now presents another opportunity to add a significant chapter. Browne McMonagle will travel to Riyadh from Hong Kong, where he has been riding winners and further enhancing his reputation on the global circuit.

He is scheduled to take part in the International Jockeys’ Challenge on Friday before partnering Galen in the Neom Turf Cup the following evening. The USD $3 million contest carries additional significance as the first Group 1 race ever staged on turf in Saudi Arabia.

O’Brien returns to a meeting that has already provided solid results. He saddled Al Riffa (FR) to a minor placing behind Shin Emperor in last year’s Neom Turf Cup, while Baron Samedi (GB) finished fourth in the Red Sea Turf Handicap in 2022.

This time, the Red Sea challenge will be led by Goodie Two Shoes (IRE), the Melbourne Cup runner-up who came close to delivering O’Brien a historic third victory in Australia’s most famous race. The JP McManus-owned mare anchors a strong three-horse assault on the USD $2.5 million contest.

She will be joined by Group 3 winner Sons And Lovers (GB) and Tennessee Stud (IRE), who finished third in the Epsom Derby, giving O’Brien depth and quality across both feature turf events.

“We are really looking forward to competing there,” O’Brien confirmed. “Dylan will fly in to ride in the International Jockeys’ Challenge on Friday, then he will ride Galen in the Neom Turf Cup and Goodie Two Shoes in the Red Sea Handicap on Saturday evening.

“James Doyle will ride Sons And Lovers and Ryan Moore will ride Tennessee Stud. All four horses have had good preparations for this trip and these races, and we’re looking forward to seeing how they run.”