A stellar lineup of equine champions is assembling for the $39.6 million Saudi Cup, set to take place on February 14, 2026, marking it as the richest race ever held. Last year’s champion, Forever Young, a celebrated multi-continent winner, is set to headline the Group 1 main event offering $20 million. Meanwhile, the undercard races, quickly gaining in status and prize money, feature top-tier horses that are prominent in their respective categories.
A standout among these is Shiso Spicy, a female sprinter trained by Jose D’Angelo of Mauplay Racing. Recently honored with the American Eclipse Award, she dominated the G2 $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint. She is the daughter of renowned sprinter and miler Mitole and claimed a decisive victory against male competitors over five furlongs (1,000 meters) in the $1 million G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, capping off her 2025 season with a major win. Prior to that, she impressed with a commanding win at the six-furlong (1,300 meter) Grade 2, $2 million Music City Stakes at Kentucky Downs. She is now targeting her third consecutive race with a prize exceeding seven figures.
D’Angelo expressed optimism about Shiso Spicy’s progress, noting her growth and improved focus this year, which he believes will bring out her best performances yet. He also addressed concerns about her stamina beyond five furlongs, explaining how she successfully stepped up to longer distances. Despite Kentucky Downs’ challenging course, she excelled over six and a half furlongs and even seven furlongs, a distance he equates to a mile or two for her. He is confident that the Saudi Cup’s flat track layout will suit her strengths perfectly.
Confidence in this four-year-old gray filly has steadily increased. Before her Music City win, she competed at Royal Ascot in the Grade 1 Commonwealth Cup but suffered from a poor start, finishing 15th out of 21 in only her seventh career race. However, she has a strong overall record with six wins in nine races, including five wins in her last six starts. After her Breeders’ Cup triumph, she was sold in Fasig-Tipton’s “The Night of the Stars” sale for $5.2 million to co-owner Qatar Racing, showing widespread confidence in her abilities.
Rich Mendez, president of Mauplay Racing, noted, “We wanted to avoid stressing her out, so we headed straight to Saudi Arabia. There are no major turf sprint races in the U.S. at this time of year, and this $2 million race offers new competition. We’re excited to see if she can replicate her previous success.”
D’Angelo, who placed 10th with Howard Wolowitz in last year’s 1351 Turf Sprint, also achieved a third-place finish in the 2024 G3 Saudi Derby with Bentornato, who later won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He has experience in international competitions, including trips to the UAE for the 2021 and 2024 Dubai World Cups, and nearly clinched a Royal Ascot win with Gabaldon in the 2024 Windsor Castle Stakes.
Reflecting on his international ventures, D’Angelo said, “Traveling with horses yearly to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Royal Ascot has made us a stronger team. The Saudi Cup organizers have been outstanding, handling every detail and providing excellent care for our horses.”
Shiso Spicy is scheduled to depart Florida for Riyadh on February 2 for her next global race, while Bentornato is being considered for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in late March. D’Angelo emphasized giving Shiso Spicy one final intense training session before departure, noting she requires minimal preparation and already knows the finish line well.
For further details, visit www.jcsa.sa.
This report originally appeared in the Paulick Report on January 26, 2026.
Fan Take: This development is exciting for horse racing enthusiasts as it highlights the growing international prestige and competition in the sport, especially in turf sprinting. The escalating prize money and star-studded fields signal a thrilling future for global horse racing, promising intense rivalries and breaking new ground in equine excellence.
