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Chairman of SEA: 1400 requests to participate in the Saudi Cup

Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Equestrian Authority Board of Directors, stated that Riyadh has become a global hub for horse racing. This announcement comes alongside the launch of the fourth edition of the Saudi Cup, the world’s richest horse race, held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Janadriyah with total prizes exceeding $35 million. The event, themed "Racing the World," will take place on February 24-25.**

On Tuesday, during a press conference organized by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, Prince Bandar announced the launch of the 2023 Saudi Cup. He highlighted that this year’s edition received an unprecedented number of participation requests, exceeding 1,400 entries from 22 countries. Of these, 57% came from within Saudi Arabia, marking the highest domestic participation rate since the Saudi Cup's inception in 2020.

Prince Bandar emphasized that the Jockey Club and the race management team have been committed over the years to developing the Saudi Cup into a world-class event. What started as a single major race has evolved into a two-day championship featuring elite horses, jockeys, trainers, and owners from around the globe. 

The Prince also expressed his pride in the progress of the accompanying races, which are now classified as Group 1 and Group 2 events internationally. This recognition extends beyond the Saudi Cup itself and has elevated Saudi Arabia's ranking in horse racing to a Group 2 nation globally. This achievement has significantly increased interest among horse owners, reflected in the growing number of annual entries for the race. 

The fourth edition of the Saudi Cup will kick off on February 24 with the International Jockey Challenge, featuring seven female and seven male riders from Australia, Europe, Japan, and the United States, along with two local participants. Riders will compete individually in four rounds for a prize of $100,000, riding locally trained horses. The races will be held on both dirt and turf tracks, with distances ranging from 1,200 meters to 1,800 meters.

Adding to the excitement, the Saudi International Handicap race will be held over a distance of 2,100 meters with a prize of $500,000. This race is open to horses trained in nations classified within Part II and Part III of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Additionally, the $1 million Al Mneefah Cup, a Group 2 race for purebred Arabian horses, and the locally trained horse event, the "Cups of Tuwaik," further enhance the schedule.

On February 25, the grand finale will feature the world’s richest race, the Saudi Cup, a Group 1 event with a staggering prize of $20 million. The race will be contested over 1,800 meters on a dirt track, capping an evening that includes eight additional races on both dirt and turf surfaces, showcasing horses from around the world.

The Jockey Club also announced the elevation of the "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup" to international classification. This race, part of the club's annual racing season, is now a qualifying event for the Saudi Cup.