Bhupat Seemar is pumped to oppose Romantic Warrior in Saturday’s (22 February) G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) when his classy Walk Of Stars represents the United Arab Emirates-based horseman in the world’s richest race, worth US$20 million (approx. HK$155.69 million).

Group 1-winning Walk Of Stars was triumphant of his last two starts by a combined 13 and three quarter lengths on dirt in Dubai. The Dubawi gelding is owned by Saudi Arabian connections Athbah Racing and pairs with 12-time UAE Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea.

The six-year-old bay has an experience edge over Romantic Warrior on the dirt, but Seemar – head of the renowned Zabeel Stables and twice UAE Champion Trainer – suggests Saudi’s surface can befit Hong Kong’s champion as he debuts on the dirt at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

“What can I say about him (Romantic Warrior)? He says that all about himself. He’s the highest earner in the world and he can travel anywhere in the world – he’s been to so many different countries,” Seemar said. “He’s a very special horse and it’s good to see him run here. I think the track here does suit all kinds of horses and I think it does suit the turf horses as well.”

Representing Hong Kong, China, Romantic Warrior faces opposition from Japan, the United States of America, France and Saudi Arabia. Walk Of Stars broke through at the top-level with a quality G1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1900m, dirt) victory last month.

“It’s always great to be in Saudi Arabia and we were here for the inaugural Saudi Cup (in 2020) and since then we’ve been coming almost every year. Great place and good to be here.

“Walk Of Stars has done really well. He’s won his last two (starts) quite impressively. He won a Grade 1 last start, and we were first and second in that. He deserves a place here and he’s doing really well,” Seemar said.

Seemar is without last year’s G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) winner Laurel River, who was expected to race this weekend, but will skip the Saudi Cup task due to a setback. Walk Of Stars joined Seemar at the end of 2023 from Charlie Appleby’s barn, where he raced at Group 1 level as a three-year-old in Great Britain’s 2022 G1 Derby Stakes (2400m) at Epsom.

“This year he’s really learnt how to race on the dirt, he’s come around and his last two runs have been very impressive. He’s a horse who has tactical speed and he has the stamina to go with it. He’s a very adaptable horse – he can go forward, sit second and he can sit third.”

Along with Romantic Warrior, Walk Of Stars faces Forever Young, Rattle N Roll, Facteur Cheval, Ushba Tesoro, Ramjet, Al Musmak, El Kodigo, Wait To Excel, Wilson Tesoro, Defunded, Intense For Me and Wootton’sun.

Walk Of Stars steps from barrier six in the 14-runner race this weekend.