Al Haram rallies to stay undefeated in Saudi Derby

Feb 14, 2026 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Al Haram rallies to win the Saudi Derby (Photo by Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Ali AlZenaidi)

Saturday’s $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) attracted promising three-year-olds from around the world, including the U.S. and Japan, but locally-based Al Haram beat them all to keep the trophy at home. The undefeated colt uncorked a terrific rally from far off the pace to extend his record to 4-for-4 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

Owned by Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah and trained by Abdullah Alsidrani, Al Haram stormed past Obliteration and Satono Voyage to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths. Ricardo Ferreira guided the exciting prospect through 1600 meters (a “metric mile”) in 1:38.45.

Al Haram collected 30 points on the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Irish-bred is not an early nominee to the Triple Crown, but he is expected to contest the March 28 UAE Derby (G2), the grand finale on the Euro/Mideast Road.

The Steve Asmussen-trained Obliteration, who was stepping up beyond a sprint distance for the first time, ran an excellent race in second after setting a strong pace. While the Triple Crown nominee picked up 15 points, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he sticks to shorter trips rather than trying to carry his speed any farther.

A similar point applies to the Japanese-based favorite, Satono Voyage, who tired late to third (nine points). He also has 10 points on the Japan Road, from his victory in last November’s Cattleya S.

Traveling very well as he tracked Obliteration early, Satono Voyage passed him on cruise control in the stretch, but he couldn’t maintain his momentum for the duration. That might be why he wasn’t nominated to the Triple Crown by the early deadline.

AL HARAM wins the G3 Saudi Derby and earns 30 points towards the @kentuckyderby!! 🌹🇸🇦pic.twitter.com/BB0bzHulup

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 14, 2026

Fellow Japanese shippers Wonder Dean (six points) and Keiai Agito (three points) reported home fourth and fifth, respectively. Tuwajeri checked in sixth, followed by Doug O’Neill’s Acknowledgemeplz; Kenny McPeek’s Very Connected; Best Green; Union Security; Brad Cox’s My World, who chased the pace out wide but retreated in a subpar effort; Tokai Ma Cherie; Shayem; and Cielo Di Roma.

Al Haram, who paid $15.60 stateside, hinted of above-average ability by winning his first three starts by progressively larger margins. After taking his debut by 1 3/4 lengths, he rolled by 4 1/4 lengths next time out, and in his latest, the Saudi version of the 2000 Guineas, he romped by 7 1/4 lengths.

The Saudi Derby proved that Al Haram wasn’t just a local celebrity, but a colt with true international class. The next question is his distance capacity. Having raced exclusively over a metric mile here, Al Haram will have the opportunity to answer that question in the about 1 3/16-mile UAE Derby.

If Al Haram passes his test at Meydan, then connections will entertain the idea of the Kentucky Derby.