The future of racing is in the Middle East |
You can always judge a country by the reception you get at passport control. America is aggressive. Don’t even think of answering ‘certainly not’ when asked if you packed your own suitcase.
But when I arrived in Saudi Arabia last week, I was greeted by the most friendly, charming man, even though he was an Arsenal fan. He must have had a busy week with the Prince of Wales’s entourage arriving the day before. Which football teams do equerries and royal reporters support? Probably not Millwall.
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The future of horse racing, a sport conceived in the UK, is now in the Middle East
The future of horse racing, a sport conceived in the UK, is now in the Middle East
I was of course here in Riyadh for the Saudi Cup – the richest horse race in the world, with £15 million up for grabs.
And, for the next five days, the people were the friendliest I have encountered anywhere. But I was keen to experience a little culture and was advised, rightly, by taxi driver Ahmed that the old palaces of Diriyah were a must.
The statue of Turfa in the horse museum there is magnificent. Turfa was the Arabian filly presented to King George VI by the King of Saudi Arabia, Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, in........