Saudi Cup 2024: Setting The Racing World Abuzz

As per a media report, this week marks the grand staging of the Saudi Cup 2024, now set to be more monumental than ever as the world's most valuable horse race. The King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh is the distinguished venue for two days of exhilarating equestrian action, culminating in the highlight of the event, the Saudi Cup race on 24 February, 2024.

This main race stands as the epitome of opulence in global horse racing, boasting an unparalleled purse of $20 million (£15.86 million), solidifying its status as the richest race in the world.

“It is, without doubt, the most significant event in the history of horse racing in Saudi Arabia, and demonstrates our resolve to develop this great sport,” HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid al-Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, mentioned after launching the event.

Furthermore, their aspiration is to emerge as a prominent contender on the global horse racing platform, he revealed.

Distinguished as a premier social affair in the Saudi capital, the Saudi Cup weekend kicks off on February 23 with an exhilarating eight-race opening day. The Invest Saudi International Jockey Challenge trophy will be contested by seven men and seven women across four races. The grandeur continues on 24 February, 2024, with the pinnacle being the Saudi Cup race night, featuring top-tier thoroughbreds in the main event during a nine-race spectacle.

Positioned strategically between the Pegasus World Cup in Florida and the Dubai World Cup, this race allows horses a four-week interval for optimal competition. Additionally, it aligns with the fervent anticipation leading up to the Cheltenham Festival, a cornerstone event in the British racing calendar.

The upgraded Group 1 status, conferred in 2022, saw Panthalassa triumph in the previous edition, elegantly concluding its career with jockey Yutaka Yoshida at the reins.

A host of prominent figures are anticipated to observe the successor to the Yoshito Yahagi-trained horse at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack, where numerous renowned sports stars now pursue their careers in Saudi Arabia.

Substantial investments in the Saudi Pro League have attracted renowned footballers, including Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, often seen enjoying various sporting events. Another familiar face from Real Madrid, Karim Benzema, has also joined a Saudi club.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund's (PIF) ventures include investments in Newcastle United, the establishment of the LIV Golf Series, and the recent announcement by the World Snooker Tour of a new ranking event accessible to all 128 players holding tour cards in the nation.