More overseas action planned for Neom Turf star Royal Champion
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 22 Feb 2026
Karl Burke is considering options in Dubai and Hong Kong for Royal Champion following his lucrative success in Saudi Arabia.
The eight-year-old produced what was arguably a career-best performance to claim his first Group One success and ninth win overall in the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh, beating Facteur Cheval by just under five lengths in the hands of Oisin Murphy.
The Dubai Turf on World Cup night at Meydan was nominated as a possible next destination for Royal Champion, but he also has an alternative option in Hong Kong.
“He only arrived back late on Wednesday night. He had a little cut on his leg, but it was only superficial and other than that he’s 100 per cent,” said Burke.
“I was delighted with the run. He’s amazing really. It probably wasn’t the strongest Group One in the world, but they’ve still got to be won and he couldn’t have won it much easier.
“His work through the winter had been very good. We’ve all been saying to each other it looks like he’s improving on his home work, we weren’t sure that an eight-year-old should be improving as much as he has, but he showed it on the track.
“He’ll have a quiet week now and we’ll decide where we target him at. Dubai is a possibility and he’s also got an invite to Hong Kong for the QEII. We’ve just got to have a look at both of those.”
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