Princess Zoe Not Traveling to Saudi Arabia

Group 1 winner Princess Zoe (Ger) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) will not go to Saudi Arabia for the Saudi Cup card, her trainer Tony Mullins revealed on Sunday. The charismatic grey enjoyed a progressive campaign in 2020, taking the Listed Oyster S. at Galway in September, before adding the G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran on Oct. 3, her fifth-straight win. Her final race of the season was a fourth in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak.

“We've decided against it. I'd love to go, but we thought the ground wouldn't be suitable for her,” said Mullins. “We want to run her with a cut in the ground, and it's unlikely over there. We'd have loved the money–but we'll do right by her. I'd imagine we'd start in a suitable race at The Curragh if there is one, if not the Vintage Crop at Navan–that's the plan.

“If it looks like having a crack at the best over a mile and a half is possible we'll do it–if not we won't. We believe she'll be as effective over a mile and a half, and if we're wrong the Cadran is always there. We'd like to prove it's possible, but if it's not that's it. It's nice to be thinking of these races, anyway.”