Riyadh: The first group of horses to compete in the Saudi Cup 2023 on Thursday arrived by plane in Riyadh from the US.
Salem bin Mahfouz, director general of racing at the Horse Racing Club, said: “Today’s trip is the first batch of international horses coming from various international tracks to participate in the world’s most expensive and historical tournament — the Saudi Cup.”
The Saudi Cup will take place on Feb. 24 and 25 at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, with the event hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and organized by the Horse Racing Club.
The competition will consist of 16 races, with a $35 million prize purse.
The first batch includes seven well-known horses, Taiba, Casa Creed, Gunner, Country Grammer, Elite Power, Meraas, and Havnameltdown.
Taiba, who is owned by Saudi businessman Amr Zedan, is ranked first in the world, and has won multiple Grade I horse-racing competitions. Taiba will participate in the main round of the event.
To ensure maximum safety for the horses during travel, The Jockey Club signed an agreement with NAQEL, a transport company owned by the Saudi Post.
