Photo:

White Turf Races / YouTube

Call him a horse for the frozen course.

Saadi, a 5-year-old roan gelding making his first start for
new connections, raced prominently for all 1 1/4 miles Sunday on the way to winning
the 84th Grand Prix of St. Moritz on a frozen lake in Switzerland.

The $111,215 feature was the highlight of the annual White
Turf Races that usually are run on three consecutive Sundays every winter on
Lake St. Moritz, which is covered with 20-30 inches of natural ice. The first
race day two weeks ago was called off because of warm weather.

Bred in France, Saadi raced three times as a 3-year-old but
did not break his maiden until last Sunday. That was when the son of Saxon
Warrior was a 4-1 winner in a 1 1/8-mile conditions race on the same sheet of
ice. The next day he was sold by Sheikh Al Thani to the Switzerland-based Kräuliger
family, who transferred Saadi from Henri-Alex Pantall to trainer Andreas Schärer.

Breaking from post 10 in the field of 11, Saadi gradually worked
his way forward under jockey L’heureux Clément. He was on even terms with early
pacesetter Stay First, who started from post 11. After the first of two
right-hand turns, Saadi took the inside path as he stayed within a neck of Stay
First.

Making the second turn, Stay First faded and was replaced by
Queroyal in pursuit of the lead. Saadi hit the front before straightening for
home, and he prevailed by three-quarters of a length. Queroyal was a clear
second, eight lengths in front of third-place Singledon. Top Max finished another
nose back in fourth, and 2023 winner Moderator took fifth just ahead of Stay
First.

The winning time was 1:56.99 without a run-up on a sunny,
38-degree day that softened the course and forced the movement of the inner cones
and barricades outside of some thin spots.

The seven-furlong course is built up with complete with
3,000 tons of equipment including a starting gate, rails, timers and
betting windows.

In addition to flat races featuring Thoroughbreds, there are
harness races in which the drivers’ bikes have skids instead of wheels. There
also is skikjöring, in which horses tow
skiers.

The White Turf Races typically attract lightly raced, older
horses. It is not unusual to see 8- and 9-year-olds going around on the lake,
and there was a recent instance of a 15-year-old taking part.

The festival attracts crowds in excess of 10,000 people. Even
though standing room is free, the more well-heeled pay more than $10,000 for 15
years of VIP access. With luxury-brand sponsors and hotel stays ranging from
$300 to $6,000 a night, the White Turf Races have an unmistakable
champagne-and-caviar feel.