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What is the 2025 Saudi Cup?

The Saudi Cup is a dirt race for thoroughbreds aged four and up, to be run at weight-for-age terms over 1800m (9f), worth $20 Million (USD) with a prize of $10 Million (USD) to the winner.

When is the 2025 Saudi Cup?

On Saturday February 22, 2025, an afternoon and evening also including an undercard of international contests on the new inside turf course and on the dirt.

Where is the Saudi Cup?

The Saudi Cup is raced on the one-turn dirt oval at King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

How can I bet on the Saudi Cup?

OffTrackBetting.com (OTB) is proud to offer wagering and live race video for The Saudi Cup to all of its account holders.

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Headlined by the World's Richest Race, The Saudi Cup - the race is worth US $20M and will again attract the finest thoroughbreds and top jockeys from around the globe.

The further eight races are the Ministry of Culture Jockey Club Local Handicap; the Group 1 DGDA Obaiya Arabian Classic run by Purebred Arabian horses; the $2m Howden Neom Turf Cup; the $2.5M Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, the $1.5m Boutique Group Saudi Derby, the National Housing Commission Saudi International Handicap, the Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the much loved, STC 1351 Turf Sprint.

Off-the-track this is the pinnacle of Saudi style, sophistication and glamour. Riyadh's social event of the season is a celebration rich in entertainment, cuisine, fashion and cultural experiences.

A strong entry of 28 Group 1 winners have been put forward for this year's Group 1 $20 million Saudi Cup, which will take place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Saturday 22 February, 2025.

Last year's Dubai World Cup winner, Laurel River (USA), could face Breeders' Cup Classic victor Sierra Leone (USA) and be joined by three-time Hong Kong Cup winner Romantic Warrior (IRE), 2024 Kentucky Derby winner, Mystik Dan (USA), as well as last year's Saudi Cup champion, Señor Buscador (USA) in what promises to be an unmissable spectacle.

Other notable runners that could feature in the 1800m contest are last year's Saudi Derby winner, Forever Young (JPN), 2024 Japanese Derby winner, Danon Decile (JPN), as well as Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint star, Soul Of An Angel (USA) and five-time Argentine Group 1 winner El Kodigo (ARG).

Including the feature race, the two-day Saudi Cup meeting has attracted 1,123 entries - comprising of 81 individual Group 1 winners - from a total of 21 countries who will fight it out for the $38.1 million prize money on offer across the Saudi Cup weekend held on 21 and 22 February.

Japanese-trained Warp Speed (JPN), runner-up in the Melbourne Cup on his last start, holds an entry for the newly upgraded Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap and could be joined in the field by the UK-trained Al Nayyir (GB), who finished fourth in the 2024 renewal of the race and Continuous (JPN) the 2023 St Leger winner.

The Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer (GB) has been given the chance of defending his crown in the Group 2 Neom Turf Cup and could line up alongside Japan Cup runner-up Shin Emperor (FR) and Danon Beluga (JPN), while dual Group 1 winners, Measured Time (GB) and Al Riffa (FR) could represent the UAE and Ireland respectively.

The Group 2 1351 Turf Sprint entries are headed by last year's winner Annaf (IRE) and 2024 Prix Maurice de Gheest victor Lazzat (FR), with Japanese Group 1 winners, Ten Happy Rose (JPN) and Ascoli Piceno (JPN) also entered.

Remake (JPN) is set to bid for consecutive wins in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, which will be run as a Group 2 for the first time, with other notable entrants including Golden Shaheen winner Tuz (USA) and Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, Straight No Chaser (USA).

Last year's Group 3 Saudi Derby saw a Japanese victor in Forever Young (JPN), and another Japanese horse tops the entries in the unbeaten Myriad Love (JPN), while Getaway Car (USA) for the USA, Al Qudra (IRE) and the Argentine G1 winner Giustino (ARG) are also entered.

As well as Thoroughbred action on Saudi Cup night, there is also the Group 1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians, where 2022 winner of the race Hadi De Carrere (FR) holds an entry along with the exciting unbeaten HM Alchahine (FR). Saturday's card also features the Saudi International Handicap, which has attracted horses trained in eight countries.

The day before Saudi Cup night (21 February) features the Group 1 Al Mneefah Cup for Purebred Arabians, which has attracted a strong entry including seven-time PA Group 1 winner Abbes (FR) and Nour Al Maury (FR), also a seven-time PA Group 1 winner, who could be joined by 2022 race winner First Classs (USA) and recent President Cup winner Heros De Lagarde (FR).

Local bred champion Asfan Al Khalediah (KSA), who won the Al Mneefah Cup in 2023 before going on to land the Obaiya Arabian Classic last year, holds entries in both races, while his stablemate, 2024 Dubai Kahayla Classic winner Tilal Al Khalediah (KSA) is also doubly entered.

The Saudi Cup programme on Friday is also highlighted by the International Jockeys Championship featuring seven male and seven female jockeys from around the world.

HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said: "On behalf of everyone at the JCSA, I would like to extend my thanks to owners and trainers from around the world for their nominations for the 2025 Saudi Cup meeting. We are proud to be top of mind for the trainers of the world's best from more than 20 countries, including so many that have won at the highest level.

"Horse racing thrives on international competition, and we believe that The Saudi Cup is the perfect event to showcase the best of global racing. The Saudi Cup itself is the pinnacle of our racing season and in a few short years has become a truly global race. This year's renewal looks perhaps the strongest yet.

"Horse racing and celebrating the brilliance of both the Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian are at the heart of traditional culture in Saudi Arabia, and events such as The Saudi Cup play a big role in engaging the local community in all aspects of the sport. As we continually improve our offering, through race upgrades and further investment, The Kingdom continues to grow as a destination for horse racing, both domestically and internationally.

Longines World's Best Jockey James McDonald to ride in the Saudi Cup International Jockeys' Challenge

Jan 15 - Recently crowned Longines World's Best Jockey James McDonald will line up in the 2025 International Jockeys' Challenge (IJC) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on 21 February, the day before bidding for Saudi Cup glory aboard Romantic Warrior in the world's richest race.

It will mark the first time the globetrotting New Zealander, who has ridden 106 Group 1 winners in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, UK and Japan, will compete in Saudi Arabia.

McDonald has forged a renowned partnership with record-breaking three-time Hong Kong Cup winner, Romantic Warrior and following the IJC he will attempt to guide the world's highest-earning racehorse victory in the USD$20m Saudi Cup, on 22 February.

An array of global stars headline this year's IJC, featuring seven male and seven female riders.

John Velazquez, who has well over 6,000 winners in the USA to his name, including six Classic victories, will make his IJC debut having ridden on Saudi Cup night last year.

Another global superstar making his IJC debut is Christophe Soumillon. The Belgian has taken a handful of rides at King Abdulaziz Racecourse over the years, with a single success coming back in 2004.

Top British rider, Hollie Doyle, who was a dual Group 1 winner in the UK and Ireland last year, will return to ride in her second IJC, having formerly competed in the 2021 renewal of the challenge.

She will be joined by four-time British Champion Jockey, Oisin Murphy, who finished third in last year's Group 3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap aboard Giavellotto before going on to guide the Marco Botti charge to success in last month's Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Australian-based British rider, Rachel King is no stranger to the big stage. A multiple Group 1-winning jockey in Australia, she also recently secured a Group 3 victory in Japan.

Maryline Eon will return to defend her IJC title, having claimed the prize last year when finishing seven points clear of Saudi-based rider, Camilo Ospina. She will be joined by the winner of the inaugural IJC in 2020, German-based Sibylle Vogt, who will be competing in her third IJC.

The UAE-based Irish rider, Tadhg O'Shea, whose biggest success to date came on 2024 Dubai World Cup champion, Laurel River will be making his IJC debut.

McDonald's New Zealand compatriot, Kelly Myers is another riding for the first time in the IJC and will be joined by 22-year-old Canada-based, Sofia Vives and Japan's Manami Nagashina, also 22 years old. Both Vives and Nagashina come to The Kingdom on the back of outstanding seasons, where they both celebrated first Graded successes.

The IJC line up will be completed by two leading Saudi-based riders, who will be announced at a later date.

Riders will compete for points across the four IJC races, two on turf and two on dirt, with the jockey that amasses the most points emerging victorious.

In each race, 15 points will be awarded for first place, 10 for second, seven for third, four for fourth and the fifth placed rider will receive two points.

The first two IJC races will be run on the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, while legs three and four will take place on the turf track. Each race is worth a total of $400,000.

As well competing for a share of the $100,000 IJC prize fund ($30,000 to the winner), riders will also receive 15 per cent of prize money won.

This season's Saudi Cup meeting will see two significant race upgrades as well as a boost to prize money, with both the Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint and Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap becoming Group 2 contests for the first time, while there will also be a number of major upgrades throughout the 2024/25 Riyadh season.

The Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint, won last year by Japanese raider Remake, will see its prize money boosted by US$500,000 to US$2 million, while the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, which went to the Aidan O-Brien-trained Tower Of London, will once again be worth US$2.5 million.

The world's most valuable race meeting will be run on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 February, with day two featuring a Group 3, four Group 2s and two Group 1 races - the Diriyah Gate Development Authority Obaiyah Arabian Classic and the US$20 million Saudi Cup - while day one will be highlighted by the Group 1 Ministry of Culture Al Mneefah Turf Cup for Purebred Arabians and the four-race International Jockeys' Challenge.

Upgrades for key Saudi Cup meeting qualifiers

Alongside the improvements to The Saudi Cup meeting, several race upgrades have been announced for the domestic Riyadh season, which began at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on 17 October.

These include what will be the first international Thoroughbred Group race staged outside The Saudi Cup meeting; the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (25 January) which is set to be run as a Group 3 for the first time.

The 1800m race, which serves as a qualifier for The Saudi Cup, was won last season by Power In Numbers when run as a Listed contest.

Another qualifying event for The Saudi Cup meeting has also been upgraded in the form of the Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup (24 January), a qualifier for the Group 2 Howden Neom Turf Cup, and has been promoted from Non-Graded to Listed status.

With the Riyadh season set to extend to Saturday 15 March, the newly promoted Listed King Abdulaziz Racetrack Championship Cup will bring the curtain down on the 2024/25 season.

A number of major races during the Riyadh season have also been rearranged to improve the pattern and aid as prep races for The Saudi Cup meeting.

The King Abdulaziz Cup, previously run in March, will now be contested on 25 January, allowing it to act as a prep race for Saudi-trained horses that may head to the G3 Saudi Derby.

The four Gulf Cooperation Cup races, which are open to horses trained in the GCC countries, and include the Gulf Cup (3yo colts and fillies), the Gulf Cup for fillies (4yo+), the Gulf Cup for Colts and Geldings (4yo+) and the Gulf Cup for Purebred Arabians (4yo+), will be moved from Saudi Cup Trials weekend and will now be run on 7 December.

The 2024/25 Riyadh season runs from 17 October 2024 to 15 March 2025 and will include 710 races, run across 62 racedays, more than ever before.

Prize money across the Riyadh season has also hit a new high with a total of SAR84,628,000/approx. US$22.5 million (excluding The Saudi Cup meeting) set to be won.

HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Alfaisal, Chairman of the JCSA said: "We are delighted to announce further race upgrades both to the 2025 Saudi Cup meeting and across the domestic Riyadh programme this season, which will further strengthen racing both within The Kingdom and internationally.

"The two additional international Group 2 contests now on the Saudi Cup card underlines our continued investment in international racing and our aim to welcome the greatest horses from around the world to our premier meeting.

"Saudi horses tasted success in both the Obaiyah and Al Mneefah Cups at last year's meeting and with the further strengthening of the domestic programme, through upgrades to races such as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, we look forward to once again taking on the best international competitors.

About the Saudi Cup

The Saudi Cup is the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia's marquee event and is charged with raising awareness of horse racing in the country and encouraging participation among men and women throughout the sport. It also aims to promote Saudi Arabia at an international level, acting as a marker for the Kingdom's transformational journey, encouraging tourism and investment.

Horseracing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stretches back more than five decades since the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia was formed in 1965. Racing traditionally took place on a 2000m left-handed dirt track until the introduction of a 1800m turf track in February 2020, on time for the inaugural Saudi Cup meeting, which was heralded as the most significant event in the history of horse racing in Saudi Arabia.

First run in 2020 and organised by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, The Saudi Cup is a two-day international racing festival, headlined by the USD$20m The Saudi Cup - the world's most valuable race. The meeting takes place on the last weekend of February at King Abdulaziz racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Total prize money for The Saudi Cup 2025 stands at USD$ 31.5m and attracts the world's highest rated racehorses.

The fourth renewal of the festival will open with the STC International Jockeys Challenge day on the Friday, which sees seven female and seven male jockeys from Australia, Europe, Japan, the United States of America, as well as two local jockeys compete as individuals in four races, each worth USD$400,000. Races are open to locally trained horses only and are run over a variety of distances on dirt and turf, ranging from a 1200m sprint to a middle-distance race over 1800m.

Jockeys collect 15 points for a victory with the next four finishers scoring 10, 7, 4 and 2 points. In addition to prizemoney earned in a race, competing jockeys share a prize pot of USD$ 100,000.

Last year's STC International Jockeys Challenge was won by Australian jockey Caitlin Jones who will be invited back to King Abdulaziz Racecourse in 2025 to defend her title.

Adding further international flavour to the Friday card is the 2100m USD$500,000 Saudi International Handicap for horses trained in IFHA registered Part II and III racing countries.

The Saturday is all about the Group 1 $20m Saudi Cup where the world's top class horses and jockeys compete for the ultimate prize in racing over 1800m of the King Abdulaziz dirt track. It is the final contest on an eight-race card that sees horses from around the world compete on dirt and on turf for a share of the USD$35.35m total prize pot.

The inaugural running of The Saudi Cup (2020) saw 22 Group or Grade 1 winners compete across an eight-race card for a total prize pot of USD$29.2M. In 2022 the prize purse has been increased to $30.5M and the number of Group and Grade 1 winners entered to run went up to 31.

In 2022 the meeting received a record number of entries from 22 countries, including 70 individual Group 1 or Grade 1 winners.