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| Staff Writer |
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The Saudi Cup, recognised globally as racing's richest contest, is preparing for its sixth running at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on February 21 and 22, 2025, with an enhanced prize fund of US$38.1m across the two-day meeting.
Day one's evening programme features eight quality races, with fourteen elite jockeys - evenly split between male and female - battling for honours in the Invest Saudi International Jockey Challenge. The card opens with the Mosef Fillies Mile, followed by the inaugural Saudia Sarawat Cup over 1200m, the Lucid Tuwaiq Cup contested over 1800m on dirt, and the Gr.1 Ministry of Culture Al Mneefah Cup worth US$1.5m.
The US$20m Saudi Cup takes centre stage on day two, supported by eight high-class contests including the Ministry of Culture Jockey Club Local Handicap and the Gr.1 Diriyah Gate Development Authority Obaiya Arabian Classic. The programme also features the US$2m Howden Neom Turf Cup, US$2.5m Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, US$1.5m Boutique Group Saudi Derby, National Housing Commission Saudi International Handicap, Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint and Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint.
Beyond the track action, racegoers can immerse themselves in Saudi culture through traditional performances, contemporary entertainment and innovative art installations including "Window of Culture" and "Luminous Patterns". The Al Berdakh experience showcases local crafts and music, while the 100 Brands fashion exhibition returns to complement the sporting spectacle.
General admission tickets start at US$46.67 (SAR175), with the Riyadh Racing Season Pass available at US$133.33 (SAR500) and The Al Thuraya Trackside experience priced at US$1,066.67 (SAR4,000).