$1.5m Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Cup draws strong field

Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah wins at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on December 27, 2025. (JCSA/Ali Abdullah Alzunaydi)
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Updated 07 January 2026
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$1.5m Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Cup draws strong field

  • Nasser Mutlaq saddles 4 for Friday feature at King Abdulaziz Racecourse
  • Nadem Al-Molwk Al-Khalediah top rated of 11 runners

RIYADH: Trainer Nasser Mutlaq will saddle four runners in this year’s $1.5 million (SR5.6 million) Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Cup, which takes place on Friday at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

Nadem Al-Molwk Al-Khalediah, ridden by Adel Alfouraidi, is the pick of Mutlaq’s entries for the Group 1 event, which is the jewel in the crown of the two-day Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Arabian Horse Festival.

Despite having run only six times, the 6-year-old has four wins and is top-rated of the 11 runners for the 1,800 meter feature. 

Last time out he beat the reopposing French-trained Al Kaaser by four lengths in the G3 Imam Turki bin Abdullah Sword on Dec. 27. Turki Al-Khalediah II and Mutwakel Alkhalediah, which finished third and fourth in that race, and recent winner Mostabsil Al-Khalediah complete the Mutlaq quartet.

Another French raider is Moshrif, trained by Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte,  which chased home Tilal AI Khalediah in the G1 Al-Mneefah Cup during last year’s Saudi Cup weekend.

Mutlaq will also be well represented in Friday’s $300,000 Princess Mounira Bint Abdulaziz Bin Musaed Bin Jalawi Cup over 1,600 meters, saddling three of the eight runners.

His trio comprises Bint Ghaliat Al Khalediah, which was second to Tilal AI-Khalediah in Taif in September, Mubarizat Alkhalediah and Maitha Al Khalediah. France will be represented by the Elizabeth Bernard-trained Algheed.

Thursday’s feature is the Group 2 $500,000 Al Khalediah Stable International Cup over 1,600 meters, in which Nawahel Alkhalediah and Nijinski Al Maury stand out in a field of eight after finishing sixth and seventh respectively behind Nadem Al-Molwk Al-Khalediah last month.

Before that will be the inaugural running of the $100,000 Mutlaq bin Moshrif Cup, staged in honor of Nasser Mutlaq’s father, who died last year.

Saturday’s all-thoroughbred card features the 2,400 meter $40,000 Al-Jouf Region Governorate Cup which has a full field of 20 declared and includes two runners for the White Stable of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz, headed by jockey Camilio Ospina’s course and distance winner Almaqam.

Also on the card is the $40,000 Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture Cup over 1,600 meters for fillies and mares. The British-trained Dance Desire for the Ricardo Ferreira, Thamer Aldaihani, Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah combination is top rated.


Formula E heads to Jeddah for double-header, Evans looking to build on Miami momentum

Updated 10 February 2026
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Formula E heads to Jeddah for double-header, Evans looking to build on Miami momentum

  • The night races in Saudi Arabia come with the drivers’ standings tightly contested, with the top five separated by just seven points after three rounds

JEDDAH: The FIA Formula E World Championship continues this week with the first double-header of the 2025/26 season, as Rounds 4 and 5 take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Feb. 13 and 14.

The night races in Saudi Arabia come with the drivers’ standings tightly contested, with the top five separated by just seven points after three rounds, while the highly anticipated Pit Boost feature also returns this weekend.

Pit Boost is a mandatory mid-race stop that provides cars with a 10 percent energy increase, adding a significant strategic element to selected races during double-header weekends.

Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans arrives in Jeddah fresh from victory in Miami and said the team is keen to build on its momentum.

“Getting the win in Miami was a huge boost, for me personally, of course, but for the whole team too. It was one of those races where everything just came together, and to take my 15th Formula E victory with Jaguar made it even more special,” he said.

“Now the attention shifts to Jeddah, which is a completely different challenge. We’ve shown we have the pace, and if we execute well across both races, there’s a big opportunity for us to really ride this momentum,” he added.

Porsche Formula E Team’s Nico Muller said the Jeddah E-Prix presents a unique challenge, particularly with the return of Pit Boost, which will be used in one of the two races.

“I’m excited for the Jeddah E-Prix, a night race is always special. It’s a cool track, it suits the GEN3 Evo (car) well,” he said.

“It’ll be the first Pit Boost race of the season, which will make things challenging, having two completely different races. It also makes preparation more intense because we’re preparing for two different scenarios.

“However, we have a strong base, the car and the team are performing well, and now it’s about optimizing our package for this track and the conditions. We have full focus on scoring points and chasing that victory,” he added.

The Jeddah E-Prix will once again be held under the lights, with cooler track and air temperatures expected to influence tire behavior and energy efficiency.

Off track, Formula E will also host the return of EVO Sessions, where global content creators will drive electric race cars at the circuit following the race weekend, with the event set to be streamed live on YouTube on Feb. 15.

The championship continues to promote sustainability and community engagement in Jeddah through initiatives focused on renewable energy use, waste reduction, education programs and inclusion, including support for young women in motorsport and local community partnerships.