The Saudi Cup is the world’s richest horse race, with a staggering $20 million prize purse.
As the prestigious event enters into its sixth year, we take a look at this year’s runners and riders.
GettyThe Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse is on Saturday, February 22, 2025[/caption]
Saudi Cup 2025
The final field for the Saudi Cup 2025 is highly competitive, with horses representing countries from around the globe vying for the coveted title.
The 1800-meter (approximately 1 1/8 miles) contest will take place on the dirt track at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, February 22, 2025.
It is the highlight of a two-day racing festival, which begins on Friday, February 21, 2025, with the International Jockeys Challenge.
The main event on Saturday will be complemented by other high-profile races, including the Obaiya Arabian Classic for purebred Arabians and the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap over 3,000 meters.
Per Bet365, here is the confirmed list of horses and jockeys for the Saudi Cup 2025:
Al Musmak (IRE)
Jockey: Muhammad Aldaham
Trainer: Thamer Aldaihani
Owner: Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah
Post position/number: 1
Recent form:
1st, Allowance Race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, January 4, 2025
6th, Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Gr. 3), Goodwood, July 20, 2024
1st, Sir Henry Cecil Stakes, Newmarket, July 11, 2024
Defunded
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Trainer: Abdulaziz Mashref
Owner: Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb
Post position/number: 2
Recent form:
1st, Allowance Race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, January 4, 2025
5th, Allowance Race, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, December 15, 2024
7th, Dubai World Cup (Gr. 1), Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2024
El Kodigo (ARG)
Jockey: Gustavo Calvente
Trainer: Abdulaziz Mashref
Owner: Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb
Post position/number: 3
Recent form:
1st, Gran Premio Jose P. Ramirez (Gr. 1), Maronas, January 6, 2024
2nd, Carlos Pellegrini – Internacional (Gr. 1), San Isidro, December 16, 2023
1st, Copa de Oro – Alfredo Lalor (Gr. 1), San Isidro, October 29, 2023
Facteur Cheval (IRE)
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Trainer: Jerome Reynier
Post position/number: 4
Recent form:
3rd, Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr. 1), Meydan Racecourse, January 25, 2025
2nd, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr. 1), Ascot, October 21, 2024
3rd, Qatar Sussex Stakes (Gr. 1), Goodwood, August 2, 2024
Forever Young (JPN)
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Post position/number: 5
Recent form:
1st, Tokyo Daishoten (G1), Ohi Racecourse, December 29, 2024
3rd, Kentucky Derby (G1), Churchill Downs, May 4, 2024
3rd, Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Santa Anita Park, November 2, 2024
Intense for Me (ARG)
Jockey: Camillo Ospina
Owner: Muhaideb Abdullah Almuhaideb
Post position/number: 6
Recent form:
1st, Carlos Pellegrini – Internacional (Gr. 1), San Isidro, December 14, 2024
3rd, Copa de Oro – Alfredo Lalor (Gr. 1), San Isidro, November 2, 2024
3rd, General San Martin (Gr. 1), Hipodromo Argentino De Palermo, September 7, 2024
Ramjet (JPN)
Jockey: Kosei Miura
Trainer: Shozo Sasaki
Post position/number: 7
Recent form:
3rd, Tokyo Daishoten (Gr. 1), Oi, December 29, 2024
4th, Japan Dirt Classic, Oi, October 2, 2024
1st, Tokyo Derby, Oi, May 5, 2024
Rattle N Roll (USA)
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Trainer: Ken McPeek
Owner: Sharaf Mohamad Alhariri & Lucky Seven Stable
Post position/number: 8
Recent form:
1st, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (Gr. 3), King Abdulaziz Racecourse, January 20, 2025
1st, Clark Stakes (G2), Churchill Downs, November 29, 2024
3rd, Lukas Classic (G3), Churchill Downs, September 28, 2024
Romantic Warrior (IRE)
Jockey: James McDonald
Trainer: Danny Shum
Owner: Peter Lau Pak Fai
Post position/number: 9
Recent form:
1st Jebel Hatta (G1), Meydan Racecourse, January 24, 2025
1st, Longines Hong Kong Cup (Gr. 1), Sha Tin, December 8, 2024
1st, Bochk Jockey Club Cup (Gr. 2), Sha Tin, November 17, 2024
Ushba Tesoro (JPN)
Jockey: Akira Sugawara
Trainer: Noboru Takagi
Post position/number: 10
Recent form:
4th, Tokyo Daishoten (Gr. 1), Oi, December 29, 2024
10th, Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr. 1), November 2, 2024
2nd, Nippon TV Hai, Funabashi, September 25, 2024
Wait to Excel (GB)
Jockey: Adel Alfouraidi
Trainer: Noboru Tkagi
Post position/number: 11
Recent form:
2nd, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (Gr. 3), King Abdulaziz Racecourse, January 25, 2025
4th, King Saud Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse on January 4, 2025
1st, Alowance, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, November 16, 2024
Walk Of Stars (GB)
Jockey: Tadhg O’Shea
Trainer: Bhupat Seemar
Owner: Athbah Racing
Post position/number: 12
Recent form:
1st, Al Maktoum Challenge Round One (Gr. 2), Meydan Racecourse, January 24, 2025
1st, The Entisar, Meydan Racecourse, December 20, 2024
2nd, Dubai Creek Mile, Meydan Racecourse, November 22, 2024
Wilson Tesoro (JPN)
Jockey: Yuga Kawada
Trainer: Noburo Takagi
Post position/number: 13
Recent form:
2nd, Tokyo Daishoten (Gr. 1), Oi, December 29, 2024
2nd, Champions Cup (Gr. 1), Chukyo, December 1, 2024
1st, JBC Classic, Saga, November 4, 2024
Wootton’sun (FR)
Jockey: Ricardo Ferreira
Trainer: A. M. Al Kahtani
Owner: Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud
Post position/number: 14
Recent form:
3rd, Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, January 25, 2025
Crown Prince Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, December 14, 2024
2nd, Allowance, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, November 14, 2024
Scotland Yard (FL)
Jockey: Adel Alfouraidi
Trainer: N. Bachalard
Owner: Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz
Post position/number: 15
Recent form:
14th, Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, January 25, 2025
1st, Allowance, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, December 21, 2024
1st, Allowance, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, October 26, 2024
HRH Prince Bandar bin Khaled Alfaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said: “We are delighted with the depth and quality of this year’s Saudi Cup field and are hugely looking forward to a brilliant two days of racing at King Abdulaziz Racecourse as we welcome the best horses around and their connections to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“With the Red Sea Turf Handicap and Riyadh Dirt Sprint both being promoted to international Group 2 status this year, we continue to develop and improve the Saudi Cup meeting with the intention of hosting the highest standard of horse racing and showcasing the best of horse racing to the world.
“I wish the best of luck to all horse connections as they put the final touches to their Saudi Cup campaigns, and we wait with great anticipation for the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of February.”
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