Saudi Cup

2020

The first edition of the race was held on February 29, 2020. It was won by an American horse, Maximum Security, ridden by Luis Saez. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced two months later that it would withhold Maximum Security's purse money pending an investigation, following the indictment of trainer Jason Servis in the United States.^[8] Nearly four years after the inaugural race, in January 2024 the Jockey Club formally recommended Maximum Security's disqualification. The Jockey Club claimed that Servis, who was convicted in December 2022 by pleading guilty to two charges related to drug misbranding and adulteration, committed "substantial breaches of the rules." The matter was referred to the Stewards' Committee, which will conduct a hearing into the matter at a later date.^[9]

2021

The second edition of the Saudi Cup was held on Saturday, 20 February 2021, at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman (on behalf of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz) crowned horse owner Prince Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Faisal after his horse Mishriff won the race. He also congratulated its trainer, John Gosden, and jockey, David Egan, who received a figurine of a horse and a jockey’s helmet, respectively.

The race, which is the richest horse race in the world with a total prize money worth $30.5 million, attracts top horses, trainers, and jockeys from across the globe. A total of 77 horses took part from 13 countries with the winner taking home a grand prize of $20 million.

The participating field included Maximum Security, Benbatl, Midnight Bisou, Mucho Gusto, and Tacitus under the supervision of world-renowned trainers like American Bob Baffert, Briton John Gosden, American Steven Asmussen, and his compatriot Brad Cox, as well as local trainers Abdullah bin Mishriff and Shaleh Alodhiaani.^[10]

2022

In the third edition of the Saudi Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz crowned Prince Saud bin Salman, owner of Emblem Road, with the race title at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh.

This edition saw a new Guinness World Record being set, with the most expensive single-horse race being held with prize money exceeding 75 million Saudi riyals.^[11]

The remaining races on the final day were won by the horse Authority, owned by Silk Racing Co. Ltd. in the first race; the second race by the horse Songline, owned by Sunday Racing Ltd.; the third race by the horse Stay Foolish, owned by Shadai Race Horse Co. Ltd.; the fourth race by the horse Ann Alawaan owned by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s sons; the fifth race by the horse Hadi De Carrere owned by Khalifa Al Kuwari; the sixth race by the horse Pinehurst owned by Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing; and the seventh race by the horse Dancing Prince owned by Chizu Yoshida.

2023

In the fourth edition of the Saudi Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman crowned Hiroo Race Co., the Japanese owner of the horse Panthalassa, the race winner and Saudi Cup champion, receiving $10 million.

The following horses occupied positions two to six in the $20 million race: Country Grammar, Cafe Pharoah, Geoglyph, Crown Pride, and Emblem Road.

The total prize money for the fourth edition that was held under the slogan We Race the World totaled $35 million.^[12]

2024

In the fifth edition of the Saudi Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman crowned Sharaf Al Hariri, owner of the horse Senor Buscador, for winning the race that was held on 24 February 2024 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh while also receiving a cash prize of $20 million.

This edition of the Saudi Cup Night prize money totaled at $37.6 million.^[13]

2025

In the sixth edition of the Saudi Cup, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman crowned Susumu Fujita, the Japanese owner of the horse Forever Young, for winning the race that was held on 22 February 2025, receiving the cash prize of $20 million after beating Romantic Warrior by a neck in a stretch duel.^[14]

This edition of the Saudi Cup Night prize money totaled at $38.1 million.^[15]

2026

In the seventh edition of the Saudi Cup, the reigning champion Forever Young defeated Nysos to secure back-to-back wins in the Saudi Cup and the winning prize of $10 million. Jockey Ryusei Sakai gave much praise to Forever Young, stating: "I didn't think he would lose. So, I believed in him and rode him with confidence... No matter how he wins, he does it strongly."^[16]

This edition of the Saudi Cup Night prize money totaled at $35.5 million.^[17]