The defending champion Forever Young from Japan leads an impressive roster of contenders for this year’s $20 million Saudi Cup, set to take place on Saturday, February 14th at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two-day event, which commenced on February 13th, boasts a total of 57 Thoroughbred Group or Grade 1 winners alongside 14 purebred Arabian Group 1 winners. Competitors hail from 22 countries, all vying for a combined prize pool of around $40 million.
Forever Young, officially ranked as the No. 2 dirt horse in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, has enjoyed success in Saudi Arabia with victories in the 2024 Saudi Derby and a commendable effort in last year’s Saudi Cup. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and fresh off a Breeders’ Cup Classic win, Forever Young faces stiff competition from top U.S. contenders including former Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Avario, Preakness Stakes winner Journalism, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile champ Nithos, and Magnitude, who recently triumphed in the G2 Clark Stakes.
Japan’s strength in the field is further bolstered by mare W Heartbond, fresh from her Champions Cup win, along with Dicthean and Mickey Fight, who placed first and second at the Tokyo Daishoten, a race that served as a springboard for Forever Young. Local hopefuls in the Saudi racing scene include Saiya, who performed admirably in the Listed Crown Prince Cup, and Star of Wonder, victor of the Listed King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Cup last December.
Prince Bandar bin Khaled Al Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Jockey Club, highlighted this year as the seventh edition of the Saudi Cup and praised the event for delivering unforgettable races and performances. He expressed optimism about the quality of nominations and extended thanks to the owners and trainers participating in the 2026 Saudi Cup.
This year’s Neom Turf Cup, now a Group 1 race sponsored by HOWDEN, marks the first top-tier turf race in Saudi Arabia, boasting a $3 million prize. Charlie Appleby’s Rebels Romance, a multiple Group 1 winner and former Breeders’ Cup champion, is set to compete against rivals like Bahrain International Trophy winner Royal Champions and multiple Group 1 winner The Lion in Winter from Aidan O’Brien’s team.
The Group 2 $2.5 million Red Sea Turf Handicap, sponsored by Longines, draws international competitors such as Japan’s Durezza, Joseph O’Brien’s Al Rifa, and last year’s fourth-placer Presage Nocturne. Similarly, the $2 million Group 2 1351 Turf Sprint, backed by SHG, promises fierce competition with entrants like Jose D’Angelo’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint star Shiso Spicy and Royal Ascot winner Lazzatto.
The $2 million Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint features elite sprinters worldwide, including Breeders’ Cup winner Bentrunat, U.S. hopeful Siso Spicy, UAE stars Tuz and Dark Saffron, and highlights the quality of the international field. Other notable races include the $1.5 million Group 3 Saudi Derby, featuring the stylish Peruvian Group 1 winner Kamal, and Friday’s International Jockey Challenge alongside the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap, which attracts contenders from diverse countries such as Bahrain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Oman, Qatar, and Spain.
The weekend also features two Group 1 events for purebred Arabians: the turf $1.5 million Al Muneefah Cup, won by RB Kingmaker (USA) in 2025, with Helal Alarawi’s Gray poised for a rematch, and the $2 million Obaiyah Arabian Classic on dirt, last won by Gulf standout Tilal Al Khaledia (KSA). Alarawi’s entries include RB Kingmaker and HM Al Chahine (France), who recently dominated in Abu Dhabi’s Group 1 HH The President Cup.
Prince Bandar emphasized that the Saudi Cup is not only a premier international racing event but also a celebration of horses and Saudi culture and hospitality. He looks forward to welcoming officials and fans to this rapidly growing and influential race on the global racing calendar.
For all nominations and further details on the Saudi Cup, visit www.jcsa.sa.
Fan Take: The Saudi Cup continues to elevate international horse racing by drawing the best talent from around the globe, creating thrilling competition and increasing the sport’s global visibility. For fans, this event offers a unique chance to witness world-class racing and emerging champions on one of the biggest stages in the industry.
