Kentucky-bred, Dubai-based Golden Vekoma remained unbeaten in 2025 with a victory in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Feb. 22. In winning the race in convincing fashion, the promising 3-year-old ran down Kentucky-bred, Japan-based, Shin Forever to score by 1 ¾ lengths.
By Vekoma, Golden Vekoma is owned by Mohammed Ahmad Ali Al Subousi. He is trained by Ahmad Bin Harmash. Connor Beasley piloted the Saudi Derby winner, who is being pointed to the UAE Derby (G2) at his home track of Meydan in Dubai on April 5. A win in that event could send Golden Vekoma back to his home state. A date in Louisville for a chance at the Kentucky Derby (G1) could be in the colt’s future. Prior to the Saudi Derby, Golden Vekoma annexed the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan.
“He was a horse we thought a lot of from the beginning of the season,” said Connor Beasley in TDN after the win. “He has been progressing all the way. It’s good for myself and good for the horse. We are up against the best here and for us to do it in the Derby, you know this is what dreams are made of.
“All my horse does is gallop and once I was half a length down on the leader, I always thought he was going to get there. What this horse has done for us this season is pretty special. And he is only going to go on to bigger and better things. I’m just delighted that we got this box ticked.”
Golden Vekoma, Shin Forever combine for a Kentucky-Bred Exacta in the Saudi Derby
Bin Harmash acquired Golden Vekoma for $90,000 at the 2024 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. He was bought out of the Grassroots Training and Sales consignment. The Saudi Derby winner was bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm.
Runner-up Shin Forever completed the Kentucky-bred exacta. The son of Complexity was bred in Kentucky by Bret Jones, and he is campaigned by Susumu Fujita. Shin Forever is trained by Hideyuki Mori. Shin Forever is a $300,000 graduate of the 2024 OBS March Sale.