Todd Fincher, a former Grade 1 Quarter Horse trainer and jockey, won the world's richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse earlier today (Feb. 24).

© Coady Photography

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA–FEBRUARY 24, 2024–New Mexico-based Thoroughbred trainer Todd Fincher, a former Quarter Horse trainer and jockey, saddled Joe Peacock Jr.'s Senor Buscador to victory in the world's richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse earlier today (Feb. 24).

Launching a belated rally down the stretch, Senor Buscador surged past the competition to edge 2023 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Ushba Tesoro at the wire.

Junior Alvarado had the riding call aboard Senor Buscador who returned $28.80 for a $2 win ticket.

Senor Buscador, under jockey Junior Alvarado, crosses the wire first in the Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
© Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Neville Hopewood

A 6-year-old son of Mineshaft, a homebred for Peacock and his father, Joe Peacock Sr., scored his seventh career win and first grade 1 victory, in 18 starts.

The winning time was 1:49.50 for the one-turn, 1 1/8-mile race that is the richest in the world for Thoroughbreds.

Senor Buscador raced for the first time in the colors of new lead owner Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri. With the victory worth $10 million, his career earnings rose to $11,496,427.

Senor Buscador broke his maiden at Remington Park then won the Springboard Mile for 2-year-olds at the Oklahoma City racetrack.

Fincher who is well known throughout the Southwest has trained over 1450  Thoroughbred winners with earnings more than $54 million. In 2018 he saddled Runaway Ghost to victory in the Sunland Derby(G3).

He grew up in the racing business.

"My dad was a jockey and he rode for 25-to-30 years," Fincher says, "and my mom trained so I grew up in it. When I was 16, I was a jockey for 10 years. I won over 900 races on Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds but I couldn’t keep my weight down anymore. I did it as long as I could and I was blessed to do it."

In the 90's Fincher rode over 320 Quarter Horse winners with earnings of $1.9 million including winning the 1994 Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) aboard Meltdown or Hall-of-Fame trainer Jack Brooks and finishing second in the Rainbow QH Futurity(G1) with Dean Miracle trained by Chris O'Dell.

Fincher has also saddled 268 Quarter Horse winners of more than $6.2 million. His stable included Ruidoso QH Futurity(G1) winner Saint Shackleton, NM Classic 870 Championship(RG3) winner Freedom Flash and Hobbs America Derby(G2) winner Papaws Paint.

"The plan as of now is Dubai," Fincher said after the Saudi victory, referring to the March 30 renewal of the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1). Senor Buscador was second in the Cigar Mile Invitational (G2) two starts back.