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- Developments reflect Kingdom’s growing stature in equestrian world
LONDON: The upcoming 2025 Saudi Cup Festival will see notable upgrades to its race lineup alongside substantial increases in prize money, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Key races, including the Riyadh Sprint Cup and the Longines Red Sea Cup, have been elevated to Group 2 status, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global horse racing.
The Jockey Club has announced enhancements for the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, now boasting a prize of $2 million following a $500,000 increase.
The Red Sea Cup, a $2.5 million race won last year by Aidan O’Brien’s horse Tower of London, will retain its substantial purse.
Held on Feb. 21-22 next year, the Saudi Cup Festival’s second day will include one Group 3 race, four Group 2 races, and two Group 1 races: the $20 million Saudi Cup, the world’s richest horse race, and the Obaiya Cup for purebred Arabian horses, sponsored by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority.
Day one will host the Group 1 Manifa Cup for purebred Arabian horses, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, alongside the four-round World Jockeys Challenge, drawing top riders from around the world.
Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Equestrian Authority and the Jockey Club, said that the developments reflected Saudi Arabia’s growing stature in the equestrian world, adding that they provided a strong foundation for the future of Saudi racing on a global scale.