From Desert To Destination: Ziad Al Mogren Outlines Saudi Racing’s Future

Innovation And Welfare Redefine National Sporting Standards

As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 41st Asian Racing Conference alongside The Saudi Cup in February 2026, The Kingdom's racing ambitions have never been clearer. In the seven years since launching The Saudi Cup, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia has transformed the nation into a significant force in international racing, attracting champions from multiple continents whilst developing domestic infrastructure and expertise. With membership of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses recently secured and construction underway on a dedicated retraining facility, The Kingdom is demonstrating commitment to global standards across all aspects of the sport.

In this exclusive interview, Ziad Al Mogren, CEO of the JCSA, discusses the milestone of bringing the Asian Racing Conference to the Arabian Peninsula for the first time since 2007, outlines how technological innovation is reshaping veterinary oversight and equine welfare, and reveals The Kingdom's strategic roadmap towards achieving Part I status in the IFHA's Blue Book by 2030.

The Kingdom is hosting the 41st Asian Racing Conference in February 2026. It is the first time the conference has been held on the Arabian Peninsula since Dubai in 2007. What does this milestone mean for Saudi Arabia's position in the global racing community, and how does the conference theme 'Honouring Tradition, Shaping the Future' reflect the Kingdom's racing journey?

We are proud to host the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Saudi Arabia, particularly as it coincides with our flagship event, The Saudi Cup. Winning the rights to host the ARC is a meaningful moment for The Kingdom as it reflects our growing role within the international racing community and the confidence global partners have in our progress.

The theme ‘Honouring Tradition, Shaping the Future’ speaks directly to our journey that we are building on a long heritage of horsemanship while continuing to evolve our sport, our facilities, and our partnerships. The conference offers an opportunity to share that journey with industry leaders from around the world.”

The Saudi Cup has quickly established itself as one of the world's premier Thoroughbred races, attracting champions from multiple continents. How has the race elevated Saudi Arabia's profile in international racing, and what role does it play in the broader strategy to position The Kingdom's racing calendar on the global stage?

The Saudi Cup has been instrumental in highlighting Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a significant player in international racing. In a short time, it has attracted leading horses and connections from around the world, reflecting both the quality of our event and the growing confidence in Saudi Arabian racing more broadly.

As part of our wider strategy, The Saudi Cup acts as a global showcase for The Kingdom’s racing calendar, helping draw attention to our wider winter and summer seasons. It has created an international focal point that supports long-term ambitions to integrate more closely with the global racing landscape while promoting Saudi Arabia as a modern and ambitious destination for the sport.

What key topics and outcomes do you hope to see emerge from hosting the ARC in Riyadh? How can the conference strengthen collaboration between Asian racing jurisdictions and support the region's collective growth in the global racing landscape?

We see the Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh as an important platform to explore both shared challenges and fresh opportunities for the global sport. The three-day Business Programme brings together experts from racing, media, technology, and governance, both within the racing world and from other sports, to discuss topics that matter to the future of our industry — from fan engagement and broadcast innovation, to integrity, equine welfare, sustainability, and the impact of new technologies.

By hosting these sessions alongside events like The Saudi Cup, we hope to encourage open dialogue, strengthen existing partnerships, and spark new collaborations between global racing jurisdictions. Bringing the community together in this way supports our broader goal of enhancing cooperation, raising standards, and collectively shaping a thriving future for racing across the region and the world.

JCSA has been incorporating veterinary innovation into its regulatory framework, including partnerships with platforms like MediRecords for digital health management. How is technology transforming veterinary oversight and horse welfare standards in Saudi Arabia, and what innovations do you see as essential for modern racing regulation?

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in how we manage equine health and welfare at the JCSA, and this is the case across the racing world in all jurisdictions. Digital tools support more consistent and transparent health management by centralising and analysing vast amounts of data and helping veterinarians make informed decisions.

These innovations are enhancing veterinary oversight and supporting preventative care across training and racing. Looking ahead, technologies that improve data sharing, enable early injury detection, and support evidence-based workload management will continue to be essential to modern racing regulation. By integrating these tools into our framework, we are strengthening our ability to safeguard the welfare of horses throughout their careers.

Equine welfare and aftercare have become central priorities for racing jurisdictions worldwide. What programs and policies have JCSA implemented to ensure the welfare of racehorses during their careers and after they retire from racing? How does The Kingdom plan to develop its aftercare infrastructure?

Equine welfare is a core priority for the JCSA, and our recent membership of IFAR reflects our commitment to recognised global standards. We have strengthened our welfare guidelines across training and competition, and we continue to support owners, trainers, and riders through education and policy development.

We have now broken ground on a dedicated retraining facility for racehorses, which will form an important part of our long-term aftercare framework. We are already seeing Off The Track Thoroughbreds (OTT) find new careers in disciplines such as dressage.

Former racehorses also play valuable roles as track ponies, supporting our racing and training operations. This is a developing area for The Kingdom, and we are working with international partners to ensure we build the right infrastructure for the future.

How does JCSA's racing expansion align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals for sports tourism and economic diversification? What has been the economic and social impact of establishing The Kingdom as an international racing destination?

JCSA’s racing expansion is closely aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to grow sports tourism and support economic diversification. Our policies are designed to attract global competitors and fans and to create a vibrant, year-round sporting destination.

Events like The Saudi Cup and our two annual racing seasons bring international visitors to The Kingdom, supporting local businesses, hospitality, and cultural exchange. Beyond the economic benefits, horse racing also enhances community engagement and contributes to broader social objectives by promoting sport, heritage and opportunities for participation across The Kingdom. We see this as part of a long-term journey to position Saudi Arabia as both a leading international racing destination and a compelling sports tourism hub.

Looking ahead to 2030, what are JCSA's most ambitious goals? What does success look like for Saudi Arabian Thoroughbred racing in the next five years?

As we look toward 2030, our ambition is to continue raising the standards of Saudi Arabian racing in line with the world’s leading jurisdictions. One of our key long-term strategic goals is to progress from Part II to Part I of the IFHA’s Blue Book.

Success for Saudi Arabia in racing terms over the next five years means strengthening the depth of our domestic racing, expanding international participation and continuing to enhance the global profile of events like The Saudi Cup. We want Saudi Arabia to be seen as a modern, well-regulated, and ambitious racing nation with a calendar that appeals to horse connections and fans from around the world.

Al Mogren's vision for Saudi Arabian racing extends far beyond hosting prestigious events. The Kingdom's integrated approach, combining world-class competition with robust welfare standards, technological innovation, and infrastructure development, positions it as a genuine year-round destination capable of connecting racing communities across continents.

As construction progresses on the retraining facility and plans advance for sustained international participation, the JCSA's alignment with Vision 2030 objectives demonstrates racing's role in the Kingdom's broader economic and social transformation.

With the 41st Asian Racing Conference set to showcase Saudi Arabia's progress to global racing leaders, the coming years will prove whether the ambitious goal of Part I status can be achieved. For a nation honouring its equestrian heritage whilst embracing modern innovation, the trajectory suggests Saudi Arabian racing's influence will only strengthen across the international landscape.