Under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister - may God protect him - the eyes of equestrian enthusiasts locally and internationally will turn towards King Abdulaziz Field in Janadriyah, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The Jockey Club is organizing one of the most important events in the Saudi racing calendar, which is the "Crown Prince Cup" competitions, as part of the forty-third event of the Riyadh racing season.
The importance of the event and its historical significance
Horse racing in Saudi Arabia has acquired a profound cultural and historical dimension, closely linked to the Kingdom's unification and its rich Arab heritage. The Crown Prince's patronage of this event underscores the continued leadership support for this time-honored sport, contributing to its rise from a local to a global level. The Crown Prince's Cups are a pivotal event in the season, serving as a key indicator of the horses' readiness to participate in major international competitions, most notably the prestigious Saudi Cup.
Race details and prize money
The Jockey Club has allocated a substantial prize of two million riyals for this event, where elite horses will compete over a distance of 2400 meters, a distance that demands high endurance and speed (Classic Distance). The main event is divided into two races:
- The first round: dedicated to the local production category (first category), reflecting the strength of generation and production programs within the Kingdom.
- The second round: Open to all classes (local production and imported) and internationally classified as "Listed", which gives it a global character and attracts quality entries.
Statements from officials and support from the leadership
On this auspicious occasion, His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jockey Club, expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for his continued patronage. His Highness affirmed that this unwavering support is the primary driver of the rapid development witnessed by Saudi equestrianism, noting that the Club operates according to precise strategic plans to meet the aspirations of the wise leadership and enhance the Kingdom's presence in international arenas.
For his part, the club’s CEO, Professor Ziad Al-Muqrin, explained that all technical, logistical and veterinary preparations on the ground have been completed to receive this event, stressing that the two cups are of high honor, reflecting the value of the occasion.
Key candidates and accompanying competitions
On the technical front, the nominations for the Listed Open race point to fierce competition, featuring strong contenders such as Wotten Sun, Mutfarid, and Haqqit, in addition to Jack Red Cloud. As for the locally bred race, all eyes are on Al Maqam, Tahzim, and Al Jumani as the leading candidates to claim the title.
The excitement isn't limited to the two main cups; the evening also features other prestigious races, including the Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz Cups, where the colt "Al-Mad'aji" is a strong contender, and the Princess Seeta bint Fahd Al-Damer Cup, for which the filly "Taqareer" is the favorite. The evening further strengthens Gulf ties through the Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah and Sheikh Faisal Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah Cups, as well as the owners' cups from the Gulf countries, adding a distinctive regional dimension to this grand equestrian festival.
