Saffron Beach misses world's richest race for £275,000 date with Frankel

14 February 2023 , 14:33

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Saffron Beach has been retired after being ruled out of the Saudi Cup (Image: PA)

Group 1-winning mare Saffron Beach has been ruled out of the £16million Saudi Cup to have a date with A-list stallion Frankel instead.

Saudi connections Najd Stud shelled out 3.6million guineas at auction in November last year to secure the five-year-old for a tilt at the world’s richest race in Riyadh next week.

Her trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam on Tuesday cancelled the the trip to the Middle East because Saffron Beach is not right enough to travel.

“After a routine scope that was unsatisfactory for travel to the Saudi Cup, Saffron Beach has been retired from racing and will now visit Frankel at Juddmonte Farms,” she tweeted.

“I wish to thank Prince Faisal Bin Khaled and his team for entrusting me with her training and wish her all the best for her breeding career.”

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Chapple-Hyam celebrated her first Group 1 victory as a trainer when Saffron Beach won the Sun Chariot Stakes in 2021. Last year she doubled her score with success in the Prix Rothschild.

Frankel won all 14 of his starts on track and is one of the world's most successful stallions (Getty Images)

She also enjoyed Royal Ascot success in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes in the colours of Ben and Ollie Sangster and James Wigan before her sale at Tattersalls.

Frankel, who was trained by Sir Henry Cecil, retired unbeaten with 14 wins as the highest rated horse in the world.

He is now one of the most expensive sires in the world, with a mating to him costing £275,000 in 2023.

Jon Lees