2026 Saudi Cup Meetings: All You Need To Know

Total Prize Money: US$39.6 million across two meetings

Duration: 13-14 February 2026

Venue: King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh

The Saudi Cup weekend stands as the world's richest two-day race meeting, featuring the most valuable dirt race on the planet whilst showcasing both Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian racing excellence on an international stage.

Meeting 2: Saudi Cup Saturday
Date: Saturday, 14th February 2026
Venue: King Abdulaziz Racetrack
Prize Money: US$35.5 million (World's richest single race day)

Key Notes
Saturday features both dirt and turf racing at championship level, with the dual-surface programme attracting international runners from diverse racing cultures. The Saudi Cup has rapidly established itself as a crucial fixture in the international racing calendar since its inception. Positioned strategically in mid-February, it provides the perfect springboard for horses targeting the Dubai World Cup in late March, whilst also serving as a lucrative standalone target for North America-based horses.

Recent prize money enhancements have further elevated the card's prestige, with the Howden Neom Turf Cup receiving a 50% boost to US$3 million and upgraded to Group 1 status, making it the first top-level turf race staged in the Kingdom. The Tuwaiq Cup has doubled to US$1 million. The Saudi Cup headlines as the world's richest dirt race, regularly drawing Eclipse Award winners, Japanese Group One stars and European champions seeking lucrative opportunities on the global stage.

The Obaiyah Arabian Classic celebrates Saudi Arabia's rich Purebred Arabian horse heritage with world-record prize money, honouring one of the most significant bloodlines in Arabian breeding history.

The Howden Neom Turf Cup's rich recent history includes Mostahdaf's seven-length romp in 2023 before his Royal Ascot Group One double, showcasing the race's quality. Past Saudi Cup winners have included horses who went on to compete successfully in the Dubai World Cup, Pegasus World Cup and Breeders' Cup Classic, demonstrating the race's position at the apex of international dirt racing.

Complete Nine-Race Programme

Gr.1 The Saudi Cup

Distance: 1,800m | Prize Money: US$20,000,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, Group One | Surface: Dirt

Notes: World's richest dirt race and the headline event of global racing's richest weekend. Run over 1,800m (approximately 9 furlongs), the Saudi Cup attracts champions from North America, Japan, Europe and beyond. Past winners have included multiple Eclipse Award champions, Kentucky Derby winners and international Group One stars, cementing the race's status as a true world championship for dirt racing.

Gr.1 Howden Neom Turf Cup

Distance: 2,100m | Prize Money: US$3,000,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, Group One | Surface: Turf

Notes: Saudi Arabia's first Group One turf race, recently boosted by 50% from US$2 million to US$3 million and upgraded to Group 1 status for 2026. Despite its young history (six years), the race boasts an impressive roll of honour including Shin Emperor (2025), Spirit Dancer (2024) and Mostahdaf (2023, who went on to win the Gr.1 Prince of Wales's Stakes and Gr.1 Juddmonte International at Royal Ascot). Attracts European Group One performers and Japanese invitees. Named after the futuristic Neom development project.

Gr.2 Red Sea Turf Handicap

Distance: 3,000m | Prize Money: US$2,500,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, handicap | Surface: Turf

Notes: Marathon test for true stayers, the longest race of the weekend at 3,000m (approximately 1? miles), similar distance to the Melbourne Cup. European and Australian stayers find this race particularly appealing, with the significant prize money attracting quality international staying handicappers.

Gr.1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic

Distance: 2,000m | Prize Money: US$2,000,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, Group One Purebred Arabian | Surface: Dirt

Notes: World's richest Purebred Arabian race, celebrating the historic Obaiyah strain, one of the five primary Arabian bloodlines central to pure Arabian breeding. The race honours Saudi Arabia's deep connection to Purebred Arabian horse culture whilst attracting elite Purebred Arabian performers from Europe, the UAE and beyond.

Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint

Distance: 1,200m | Prize Money: US$2,000,000
Conditions: 3YO+ All horses, Group Two | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Elite sprint contest attracting international speedsters. Complements Dubai's Golden Shaheen by offering another lucrative target for dirt sprinters in the region, with many horses competing in both races during the February-March campaign.

Gr.2 1351 Turf Sprint

Distance: 1,351m | Prize Money: US$2,000,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, Group Two | Surface: Turf

Notes: Elite turf sprint featuring a unique metric distance based on the track's configuration. The unusual distance (approximately 6.7 furlongs) creates fascinating tactical scenarios as it falls between traditional sprint and mile distances, requiring horses who combine speed with stamina.

Jockey Club Local Handicap

Distance: 1,800m | Prize Money: US$1,500,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, handicap | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Race celebrating local participation with significant prize money. Provides valuable racing opportunities for horses based in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.

Gr.3 Saudi Derby

Distance: 1,600m | Prize Money: US$1,500,000
Conditions: 3YO Colts, geldings & fillies, Group Three | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Prestigious 3YO classic run over the mile distance. Past winners have progressed to become Saudi Cup contenders, with the race serving as an important developmental milestone for horses targeting international campaigns later in the year.

Tuwaiq Cup (Listed)

Distance: 1,800m | Prize Money: US$1,000,000
Conditions: 3YO+ All horses, Listed | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Prize fund recently doubled from US$500,000 to US$1 million, making this Listed contest even more attractive to both local and internationally based horses. Named after the Tuwaiq escarpment, a prominent geological feature near Riyadh.

Meeting 1: Saudi Cup Friday

Date: Friday, 13th February 2026
Venue: King Abdulaziz Racetrack
Prize Money: US$4.1 million

Key Notes
The Gr.1 Al Mneefah Cup headlines as Friday's feature, a prestigious Group 1 contest for Purebred Arabians run over 2,100m on turf. Past winners have included horses who went on to contest major Purebred Arabian championships across the Gulf region, demonstrating the race's importance as a staging post for international campaigns. The 2,100m distance perfectly positions it as a championship test for elite Purebred Arabian performers.

The International Jockey's Challenge serves as the centrepiece of Friday's programme, featuring four designated races where elite international riders compete for team honours across sprint, mile and middle-distance events. This unique format brings together top jockeys from major racing nations representing regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, with teams accumulating points across races spanning 1,200m to 2,100m. Individual rider honours create compelling storylines alongside the team competition, testing versatility, tactical awareness and adaptability as jockeys navigate different distances throughout the card.

Complete Eight-Race Programme

Gr.1 Al Mneefah Cup

Distance: 2,100m | Prize Money: US$1,500,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, Group One Purebred Arabian | Surface: Turf

Notes: Friday's headline Group One event and championship middle-distance contest for Purebred Arabians. Named after a prominent region in Saudi Arabia, this race has established itself as a key indicator for Saturday's Obaiyah Arabian Classic, with several Al Mneefah Cup winners or placed horses progressing to perform with distinction in the main Purebred Arabian event.

Saudi International Handicap 90-110

Distance: 2,100m | Prize Money: US$500,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, handicap rated 90-110 | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Competitive handicap for quality middle-distance performers. The rating band (90-110) ensures a field of established stakes-quality horses, with many runners utilising this as a final serious workout before Saturday's feature races or as preparation for the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

International Jockey's Challenge R1 (0-95)

Distance: 1,600m | Prize Money: US$400,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, handicap rated 0-95 | Surface: Dirt

Notes: First leg of the International Jockey's Challenge. Elite riders from around the globe compete for team and individual glory in this mile handicap, with points awarded based on finishing positions contributing to the overall challenge standings.

International Jockey's Challenge R2 (0-95)

Distance: 1,400m | Prize Money: US$400,000
Conditions: 4YO All horses, rated 0-95 | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Second leg of the International Jockey's Challenge, restricted to the 4YO generation. This intermediate distance often produces the most competitive racing of the challenge as horses remain fresh and versatile at this stage of their careers.

International Jockey's Challenge R3 (0-100)

Distance: 1,200m | Prize Money: US$400,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, rated 0-100 | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Third leg of the International Jockey's Challenge over sprint distance. The higher rating band (0-100 versus 0-95 in earlier legs) ensures quality fields, whilst the sprint distance tests raw speed and tactical placement from the international riding stars.

International Jockey's Challenge R4 (0-100)

Distance: 2,100m | Prize Money: US$400,000
Conditions: 4YO+ All horses, rated 0-100 | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Fourth and final leg of the International Jockey's Challenge. This middle-distance test provides the ultimate examination of tactical nous as jockeys must balance aggressive placement with stamina management. Challenge standings are often decided in this concluding race.

Fillies Mile

Distance: 1,600m | Prize Money: US$250,000
Conditions: 3YO Fillies only | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Race showcases emerging fillies over the classic mile distance. Serves as an important developmental race for 3YO fillies with potential to progress to the Saudi Derby or international Group races later in the year.

Sarawat Cup

Distance: 1,200m | Prize Money: US$250,000
Conditions: 3YO Colts, geldings & fillies | Surface: Dirt

Notes: Sprint test for the 3YO generation, this race often produces horses who progress to Saturday's Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint. Named after the Sarawat Mountains in southwestern Saudi Arabia, the race has established itself as a key trial for developing sprinters.

International Impact

• Attracts world's best dirt and turf performers from North America, Europe, Asia and beyond
• Features both Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian racing at elite level
• International Jockey's Challenge showcases global riding talent across Friday's programme
• Multiple surface options (dirt and turf) accommodate diverse international runners
• Strategic timing positions Saudi Cup as key steppingstone to Dubai World Cup Carnival
• Recent prize money enhancements further cement Saudi Cup weekend's status as global racing's richest carnival