Saudi Cup to be held Feb. 13-14 in Riyadh with $39.6 million prize pool

SPA

RIYADH, Jan 28 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Saudi Arabia will host the seventh edition of the Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Feb. 13-14, with organisers expecting international participation and total prize money of $39.6 million.

International horses are due to begin arriving in the kingdom from Feb. 3 ahead of the two-day meeting, which is expected to draw owners, trainers and jockeys from around the world.

Local contenders secured their places through qualifying races held two weeks ago as part of a race festival staged by the Jockey Club, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Among the qualifiers, “Zafzaf”, owned by Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz, earned a spot in the 1,351-metre race under trainer Sami Al-Harabi and jockey Joel Rosario, SPA said.

In other qualifying results, “Siyah” won the Red Sea Cup qualifier over 3,000 metres for the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, ridden by Naif Al-Anzi and trained by Hisham Abdulwahid. “Boldy Porto”, owned by the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, won the Prince Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Cup qualifier for the NEOM Cup over 2,100 metres, under trainer Badr Saud Raziq and jockey Camilo Ospina.

“Adeeb Al Shahania” won the Al Munifah Cup qualifier over 2,100 metres for owner Khaled Saeed Abdullah Al-Sayed, with jockey Mohammed Al-Daham and trainer Saleh Al-Madfa, SPA said.

“Al Haram”, owned by Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah, won the 2,000 championship qualifier for the Saudi Derby Cup over 1,600 metres under trainer Thamer Al-Daihani and jockey Ricardo Ferreira. “Maestro de Kroat” won the Diriyah Cup qualifier for the Obaiyah race over 2,000 metres for Ajmal Stable, under trainer Bassam Al-Mousa and jockey Camilo Ospina.

“Muhalli” won the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G3), a qualifier for the Saudi Cup, over 1,800 metres for Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah, ridden by Ricardo Ferreira and trained by Thamer Al-Daihani, SPA said.

The final qualifier list included “Min Shan”, which booked a place in the Riyadh Sprint Cup after winning a 1,200-metre race for the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, under trainer Ahmed Mahmoud and jockey Camilo Ospina.