Presage Nocturne (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia //Ali AlZenaidi)
Presage Nocturne Maintains Connection for Italian-Born Trainer
Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Press Release
France-based Italian trainer Alessandro Botti is no stranger to King Abdulaziz Racecourse but will have his first runner at The Saudi Cup meeting on Saturday when he saddles Presage Nocturne (IRE) in the US$2.5m Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap.
Botti looked after the HRH Prince Saud Bin Salman-owned 2022 Saudi Cup winner Emblem Road when he came to France later that year, and has previously visited the home of the world’s richest race.
“I came here two years ago when there was a big football match,” Botti said. “We were invited by Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, who is one of my owners. The Prince then asked us to come to the racecourse and so I had seen the training and everything. But this is my first starter, which is very exciting.”
The 5-year-old Presage Nocturne enjoyed the perfect preparation when winning the Listed Prix Arcangues over 2500m at Deauville in December and looked in fine form when he came onto the dirt track on Wednesday morning.
“He is in good form,” Botti commented. “It is always a bit of a worry when you travel a horse, but he seems well. He hasn’t lost any weight and won’t do much over the next few days.
“He never stopped during the winter and we were lucky to win the race in December. I think he is at the top of his form.
“We have drawn the number 10, which is fine. He will be coming from behind and anyway, Christophe [Soumillon, jockey] knows him well.”
To calm his pre-match nerves on Friday evening, Botti will be attending another game in Riyadh, this time to support fellow countryman and Al-Nassr manager Stefano Pioli in the tie against Al-Ettifaq.
“I know that Cristiano Ronaldo is playing, but I don’t know the name of the other team.” he laughed.
“We are going with friends to see the match and Stefano will come to the races on Saturday. I haven’t met him yet, but that is the plan.
“Stefano was the manager of AC Milan for many years and one of the owners of Presage Nocturne was the official journalist at the time when [former Prime Minister of Italy] Silvio Berlusconi owned the club.
“He is still in contact with Stefano and when he told him that he was coming to Riyadh, Stefano invited him and us to the match. And in return, we have asked him to the races on Saturday to see our horse.”
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