RIYADH: Mickael Barzalona emerged as the standout performer on the opening day of the 2026 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Friday, securing three victories and the International Jockeys Challenge title.
And with the majority of victorious trainers on opening day hailing from Saudi Arabia, the depth of local expertise in the Kingdom was on full display.
The action began with the Fillies Mile, in which Nawaf Almudiani guided Teduom to a $125,000 victory, beating Tobah by 1¾ lengths.
The prize money increased as the day progressed, with each of the four International Jockeys Challenge races awarding $200,000 to the winner.
Hay Nebaha, ridden by Saffie Osborne and trained by Bader Rizaiq for King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Sons, claimed Race 1 of the 0-95 contest over 1,600 meters in 1:39.728, defeating the higher-rated Saebout by 4¾ lengths.
Race 2 went to Abeyyah, who edged Makthorh by half a length in 1:26.81 under jockey Nina Baltromei, marking second consecutive victory for trainer Rizaiq in the series.
Barzalona began his surge in Race 3 of the Challenge series aboard Praetorian, delivering a six-length triumph in 1:09.719 for trainer Ahmed Abdulwahed and owner Abdulelah Abdulaziz Almousa, which would be the widest winning margin of the series.
The French jockey then clinched the International Jockeys Challenge championship in Race 4, guiding Year Of The Dragon to victory by a neck in 2:10.043 for trainer Mohammed Alhirabi and Arab stable.
Barzalona added his third victory of the day in the Saudi International Handicap (90-110) Presented by Lucid, as he steered Gran Descans to a three-quarter-length win for trainer Saad Aljenade, landing King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Sons the $300,000 prize.
Other highlights included a Sarawat Cup victory for Almad’agi in 1:13.67 under Adel Alfouraidi, as trainer Abdulwahed and owner Almousa claimed their second win of the evening.
The day concluded with RB Kingmaker taking the $900,000 Al-Mneefah Cup by half a length for jockey Cristian Demuro and trainers Helal and Tahnon Al-Alawi.
Faisal Sultan, the president of Electric vehicle maker Lucid Middle East, welcomed his company’s partnership with the Saudi Cup.
“This is the right place to be,” he said. “The Saudi Cup has the right clientele, the right atmosphere, and positivity that aligns with our products.”
As he presented the Saudi International Handicap trophy to Gran Descans, Sultan highlighted the factors that make Lucid a perfect partner for horse racing: “We have one of the fastest-charging vehicles in the world and one of the fastest vehicles in the world. Lucid and horse racing — it’s a match made in heaven.”
Sultan added that the “Made in Saudi” designation awarded to Lucid in January last year reflected the company’s sense of national pride.
“We are highly dependent on Saudi talent and continue to train and expand that presence,” he said. “We aim to support sustainable initiatives and contribute towards Vision 2030.”
Racing continues on Saturday, with the event culminating in feature race the $20 million Saudi Cup at 8:40pm.
