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| Staff Writer |
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The upcoming Saudi Cup 2024 race meeting in Riyadh has garnered the attention of 1162 entries from 15 countries, all vying for glory at the world's most valuable race meeting. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia is organizing the race weekend, with strong support from countries such as the USA, which has 123 horses listed, and Japan, which produced the 2023 winner, Panthalassa, and has 110 entries.
Among the hopefuls are 41 Group or Group One winners, including White Abarrio and Derma Sotagake from the USA, Preakness winner National Treasure, and Malibu Stakes winner Speed Boat Beach.
This year's event at King Abdulaziz Racecourse will offer a new prize fund worth an additional US$2.25m compared to the 2023 renewal. The increase reflects the upgrades of the 2,100m Neom Turf Cup and the 1351 Turf Sprint to international Group Two, while the 2100m Al Mneefah Cup for Purebred Arabians, another turf race, will also run as a Group One for the first time.
The 2023 Red Sea Turf Handicap and 1351 Turf Sprint winners Silver Sonic and Bathrat Leon from Japan have been entered to defend their titles alongside fan favorite Casa Creed from the USA. Also featured are top horses from Europe such as Luxembourg, Warm Heart, Mawj, Art Power, Simca Mille, and Double Major.
The Saudi Cup's two Arabian races, the Obaiya Arabian Classic on Saturday and the Al Mneefah Cup on Friday's card, are both Group One PA races for the first time. With prize money of US$2m and US$1.5m, respectively, some of the world's best Arabians have been entered, including past winners Tilal Al Khalediah, Asfan Al Khalediah, and First Classs. Eye-catching entries also include young black type winners Arjad Athbah, Ghadah, Mutbahy Athbah, and Najeeb Al Zaman, as well as exciting local 4YOs Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah and Vizhir.
“Thank you to all the owners and trainers who made entries to this year’s Saudi Cup meeting. We are looking forward to hosting all our runners and their connections in February and to the privilege of watching these supreme athletes perform at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and sharing that experience with the world.
It is great to see that so many of the world’s highest profile horses hold an entry to our marquee event, which now benefits from race upgrades and increased prize money.
The Saudi Cup is one of the most important sporting and social occasions in The Kingdom, providing a place for us to come together once a year as a global community to celebrate these magnificent animals at an event that is uniquely Saudi Arabian. Our racecard provides interest and excitement across the two days with the International Jockeys Challenge featuring 14 of the top men and women from around the world as well as a race for Part II and Part III racing nations. All this is highlighted of course by The Saudi Cup – the world’s most valuable race and the highlight of our racing year.
We at the JCSA are pleased to utilise The Saudi Cup as a vehicle for increased awareness of and participation in horseracing at all levels throughout Saudi society, enriching communities through involvement in sport both in terms of taking part and administration. In addition, the JCSA is honoured to be part of the international racing family, with the positive benefits of this race weekend touching both a domestic and international audience.
It is always a pleasure to meet so many people from all walks of life and corners of the globe who are brought together by one shared passion – horseracing. We look forward to welcoming all our runners and connections and wish everyone the very best in preparation.”