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| Staff Writer |
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The Saudi Cup 2024 meeting has garnered 1162 entries, with horses from 15 countries vying for glory at the world's most prestigious race event, which will be held in Riyadh on 23rd February 23 and 24.
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia-organised race weekend has attracted 41 Group One winners, with strong support from the USA powerhouses having listed 123 horses and Japan, the country which produced the 2023 winner, Panthalassa, having 110 entries.
Compared to the 2023 renewal, this year's event at King Abdulaziz Racecourse will have a new prize fund worth an additional US$2.25m. 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.
Some of the highlights of the event include the 2023 Whitney and Breeders Cup Classic winner, White Abarrio, ultra-tough Breeders Cup Classic second Derma Sotagake, Preakness winner National Treasure, and Malibu Stakes winner Speed Boat Beach.
High-profile European entries such as Group one stars, Luxembourg, Warm Heart, Mawj, Art Power, Simca Mille, and Double Major are also among the entries.
The reigning 2023 Red Sea Turf Handicap and 1351 Turf Sprint winners Silver Sonic and Bathrat Leon have also been entered for a chance to defend their titles. Fan-favorite, Casa Creed, holds an entry to take on the King Abdulaziz turf for a third consecutive year, having finished second in the 1351 Turf Sprint in 2022 and 2023.
The entries from Japan include the 2023 Dubai World Cup winner, Ushba Tesoro, and The Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, Sibelius. Lemon Pop, the top Japanese dirt horse and Champions Cup winner, holds his place in the Saudi Cup entries after winning the qualifier in Chukyo last month.
The Bahrain international Trophy winner, Spirit Dancer, who gained an automatic place in the Neom Turf Cup, also features among the entries. The domestic ranks entries include the former USA trained Defunded now representing KSA and 2023 Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques winner, Scotland Yard, who have been entered in the Saudi Cup. The King Abdullah Stable's exciting 3YO Taybah Fail could also line up in the Saudi Derby.
For the first time, the Saudi Cup's two Arabian races, the Obaiya Arabian Classic on the Saturday and the Al Mneefah Cup on the Friday card, are both Group one PA races. Some of the world's best Arabians have been entered, including past winners Tilal Al Khalediah, Asfan Al Khalediah, and First Classs. Previously placed horses such as Hamdani Al Khalediah, Sultana, Bint Ghaliat Al Khalediah, Dergham Athbah, and Soko are also among the entries.
Other eye-catching entries include up-and-coming young black-type winners, Arjad Athbah, Ghadah, Mutbahy Athbah, and Najeeb Al Zaman, as well as some exciting local 4YOs, Nadem Al Molwk Al Khalediah, and Vizhir.
HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said,“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.”