RIYADH: 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 Feb. 22.
The winner of last year’s Dubai World Cup, Laurel River (USA), could face Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Sierra Leone (USA) along with three-time Hong Kong Cup winner Romantic Warrior (IRE), 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (USA), and last year’s Saudi Cup champion, Senor Buscador (USA).
Other notable runners that could feature in the 1,800m contest are last year’s Saudi Derby winner Forever Young (JPN), 2024 Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (JPN), Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint star Soul Of An Angel (USA) and five-time Argentine Group 1 winner El Kodigo (ARG).
Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al-Faisal, 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.”
Including the feature race, the two-day Saudi Cup meeting has attracted 1,123 entries — comprising 81 individual Group 1 winners — from a total of 21 countries, all set to fight it out for the $38.1m prize money on offer across Saudi Cup weekend on Feb. 21-22.
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.
Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer (GB) has been given the chance to defend 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. Other notable entrants include 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 Argentine G1 winner Giustino (ARG) are also entered.
As well as thoroughbred action on Saudi Cup night, there is also the Group 1 Obaiya Arabian Classic for purebred Arabians, where 2022 race winner 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.
Feb. 21, the day before Saudi Cup night, 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. His stablemate, 2024 Dubai Kahayla Classic winner Tilal Al-Khalediah (KSA), is also double-entered.
The Friday program will also feature the International Jockeys Championship, with seven male and seven female jockeys from around the world participating.
Prince Bandar said: “Horse racing thrives on international competition, and we believe 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.
“We look forward to welcoming all connections to King Abdulaziz Racecourse next month for what promises to be another unforgettable Saudi Cup meeting.”
