US-bred First Class Wins the $1M Al Mneefah Cup – Saudi Cup Race Weekend

A horse of Classs wins

    1. First Classs wins the $1Million Al Mneefah Cup – Photo Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia // Mathea Kelley

25 February 2022, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ~ First Classs (Dahess x TopoftheClass), given a winning ride by Ronan Thomas, took control of the 2100m turf race to win the $1M Al Mneefah Cup, a Listed race, the first Arabian race of the Saudi Cup weekend.

Sent to Qatar by breeder, owners, Deb Mihaloff and Alan Kirshner of Cre Run Farm, the five-year-old was placed with trainer, Alban De Mieulle, who brought him to Riyadh.

“Classs had the talent to run these longer races and we gave him the opportunity to do just that,” said a delighted Mihaloff.

“We have been so blessed over the years to have the great horses we have had. This win is extra special, I had stopped breeding and this has inspired me to start breeding again. It has been difficult to continue breeding and racing here in the US, and it only made sense for us to take our program oversea.This has allowed our horses to now run in competitive races in their proper conditions,” said Kirsher.”

First Classs ran past Soko in the final strides with Dergham Athbah coming in third in a field of 14 competitors.

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