The Saudi Cup, held annually on Saturday 26th February, is run over nine furlongs (1800 meters) on a dirt track and is the richest horse race in the world. It's a long way from Kilbeggan country racing, wherein my youth, my family, and I went each season to sit in the rain, eat cheese and tomato sandwiches, and drink tea from a flask as we cheered on our local heroes to be first past the post. Kilbeggan Racecourse is a country horse racing venue in Co Westmeath, my homeland.