On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, patronized the grand horse race for the Crown Prince's Cups last night at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Janadriyah. This event is considered one of the most prominent stops on the Saudi Arabian horse racing calendar, and the 43rd race meeting of the Riyadh racing season witnessed fierce competition among elite horses.
The night of the great victory for the White Stable
The evening witnessed complete dominance by the stable of the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz (the White Stable), as their horses managed to steal the spotlight and win the two precious cups in the two main races, whose financial prize amounts to two million riyals, reflecting the high readiness and great professionalism that the stable enjoys.
In the eighth race, designated for locally bred horses (Grade 1) over a distance of 2400 meters, the horse “Wa Na’meen,” owned by the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, decisively won the competition and secured first place. Following the race, His Royal Highness Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh, presented the Crown Prince’s Cup for this category.
The “white” dominance continued in the ninth race, an open class (local and imported production) and internationally classified as “Listed” over the same distance (2400 meters), where the horse “Sayyah” owned by the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz snatched first place, so that Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah received the second cup from the hands of the Prince of Riyadh, thus recording a historic double in this carnival festival.
The importance of the event and its regional and international standing
The Crown Prince's Cups hold exceptional significance, transcending their status as mere horse races. They bear the name of the Crown Prince – may God protect him – the architect of the Vision and the foremost supporter of sports in the Kingdom. This championship underscores the remarkable progress of Saudi equestrian sports, which have garnered global attention, particularly with the international classification of the races, thus raising the bar for competition and attracting the highest levels of skill.
The high-level official presence, represented by the reception of His Highness the Prince of Riyadh by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid bin Faisal, President of the Equestrian Authority, reflects the great interest that the wise leadership gives to this ancient sport that is linked to the history and heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Results of the accompanying rounds and continued dominance
The achievements of the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz's stable were not limited to the two main cups, but extended to other races during the eighth week of events. The mare "Mutakmilah" won the Princess Seeta bint Fahd Al-Damer Cup, while the colt "Bono" won the Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz Cup for two-year-old colts, confirming the stable's dominance in various categories.
In other competitions, Saturday saw the horse “Webar” from Abdulrahman Salah Al-Rashed’s stable win the Sheikh Hamoud Al-Faisal Al-Malik Al-Sabah Prize, while the horse “Al-Aghar” owned by Fahd Mutaib Al-Subaie won the Sheikh Faisal Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah Prize. In the Gulf Cup competitions, the horses “Waqtak,” “Dance Desire,” “Reeman,” and “Mutawakkil Al-Khalidiyah” shone, achieving victories in their respective races, thus concluding a week full of excitement and fierce competition in the Saudi racing scene.
