RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced a new horse racing championship with prizes totalling more than $17 million that would make it one of the sport’s richest events.
The King Abdulaziz Horse Championship will rival the Kentucky Derby in size and attract competitors from the US, the UK and Japan, the government’s General Sports Authority said late on Tuesday, without revealing when the first championship would be held.
Riyadh is keen to develop its sports industry as part of reforms to diversify the economy beyond oil exports and create a more modern, dynamic society.
The horse championship was a way for the desert kingdom to share its “historic and cultural legacy” with the world, the sports authority said in the statement.
Last year’s Dubai World Cup offered a $10-million prize for its top race, although media reported prizes for the entire event totalled $30 million. The 2018 Pegasus World Cup Invitational in Florida had a $16-million purse.
Saudi Arabia to launch $17 million King Abdulaziz Horse Championship
Saudi Arabia to launch $17 million King Abdulaziz Horse Championship
Australia rest Cummins, Hazlewood, Maxwell for Pakistan T20 series
- Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will also skip the series starting later this month
- Australia will play Pakistan in Lahore on Jan. 29, 31 and Feb. 1, before traveling to Sri Lanka
MELBOURNE: Australia will rest five top players, including Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell, for a three-match Twenty20 series in Pakistan ahead of the World Cup, selectors said Monday.
Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis will also skip the series starting later this month.
Their absence opened the door to fringe players Sean Abbott, Mahli Beardman, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mitch Owen, Josh Phillippe and Matt Renshaw, who come into the 17-man squad.
Chief selector George Bailey said the five were either returning from injury or having their loads managed ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka which begin on February 7.
“The series is a great opportunity for those on the brink of selection and some young players we rate highly for valuable experience,” he added.
“Some are already experienced international players, along with Mahli Beardman who has been with the group a number of times, and Jack Edwards who joined for the last one-day match against India in Sydney last year.”
Australia will play Pakistan in Lahore on January 29, 31 and February 1, before traveling to Sri Lanka where they are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
