Almad'agi Surges Clear In Sarawat Cup
Champion Jockey Alfouraidi Powers Almad'agi Past Aez Alkhatir
On a night brimming with anticipation at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, the fourth race on the opening evening of the Saudi Cup Meeting 2026 delivered a resounding result as locally bred Almad'agi stormed to victory in the Sarawat Cup over 1200 metres. The 3YO colt, trained by Ahmed Abdulwahed and partnered by multiple champion jockey Adel Alfouraidi, produced a devastating turn of foot to claim the US$250,000 (SAR937,500) contest by three and a half lengths, setting the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of racing in Riyadh.
Carrying 58 kilograms and rated 91, Almad'agi was the highest-rated runner in the field of three-year-olds and justified that billing in emphatic fashion. Alfouraidi, who was described by American trainer Kenny McPeek ahead of the meeting as "the leading rider there and has been champion jockey" and praised as "a young gun" with real "talent" (Arab News), had the colt travelling smoothly through the early stages before unleashing a powerful surge in the closing furlongs that left his rivals trailing in his wake.
A Dominant Display On Opening Night
The winning time of 1:13.665 underlined the quality of the performance, with Almad'agi always appearing to have matters well in hand. Owned by Abdulelah Abdul Aziz Almousa, the colt is now firmly on the radar as one to follow among the Kingdom's three-year-old crop, and connections will be eager to map out a progressive campaign on the back of this emphatic triumph on Saudi racing's grandest stage.
Aez Alkhatir, the three-year-old gelding trained by Homoud Alshamari and ridden by Fahad Alfouraidi, ran a creditable race in second but was never able to land a meaningful blow on the winner, finishing three and a half lengths adrift in a time of 1:14.285. Owned by Qemat Twaiq Stable, the gelding was rated 77 and acquitted himself well despite facing a rival operating at a superior level. The run suggests there are further opportunities ahead for the Alshamari yard as the domestic season draws towards its conclusion.
Rosario's Mount Fills Third
A further one and three-quarter lengths away in third was the filly Azmaat, trained by Abdullah Abdulrahman and ridden by the internationally renowned Joel Rosario, who is in Riyadh for the Saudi Cup weekend. Owned by Abdulrahman Abdullah A. Almakhdoob and carrying 56 kilograms, Azmaat posted a time of 1:14.594 and, whilst no match for the impressive winner, showed enough to suggest she can be competitive in her own grade going forward.
The result was a proud moment for Saudi Arabia's domestic racing programme on a night when the eyes of the global racing community were firmly fixed on King Abdulaziz Racecourse. The Sarawat Cup sits alongside the International Jockeys' Challenge and the Group One Al Mneefah Cup as one of the headline contests on the opening evening of a meeting worth a combined US$39.6 million across its two days.