The King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field in Riyadh witnessed an atmosphere brimming with enthusiasm and high competitiveness during the twelfth week of the Riyadh Racing Season. This week featured a series of intense races and major trophies that attracted elite thoroughbred and Arabian horses of all ages and classes, amidst a remarkable public turnout reflecting the growing passion for this traditional sport.
Friday's competitions: The Jalawi Family Cups and the Champions of the Fields
The events kicked off on Friday with races of a special nature, featuring the Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi, Abdullah bin Jalawi, and Fahd bin Jalawi Cups. The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Governor of Najran Region, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Mansour bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, along with a large gathering of the sons and grandsons of the cup winners, lending the event a festive and historical atmosphere.
The results saw Al-Khalidiyah Stables achieve a remarkable victory with the horse "Mustabsel Al-Khalidiyah," while owner Fahd bin Mutaib Fahad Al-Subaie secured a win with the horse "Tadoum," and Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah achieved a well-deserved victory with the horse "Muqtahim." In the preliminary rounds for the champions of the fields, the mare "Dopamine" shone in the mares' race, and "Saif Barzan," owned by Mutaib Saleh Mohammed Al-Mazeed, won the title in the purebred Arabian horses' race. The horse "Saudi Act," from Al-Minhaj Stables, concluded Friday's races with a thrilling victory.
Saturday's races: Government and institutional cups
The excitement continued on Saturday with competitions for high-level cups, starting with the King Khalid bin Abdulaziz University Cup, which was won by the stable of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz after the heroic performance of the horse "Power of Beauty". Professor Abdul Latif Ibrahim Al-Hadithi presented the cup on behalf of the university president.
The racecourse also witnessed fierce competition for the Ministry of Sports Cup, which went to trainer Thamer Al-Daihani after the mare "Kawthar," owned by Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah, won. The cup was presented by Mr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Janoubi. The event concluded with the Broadcasting and Television Authority Cup, which was also won by Sheikh Abdullah Hamoud Al-Malik Al-Sabah's stable after the horse "Al-Haram" triumphed. The cup was received by Mr. Khalid bin Hamoud Al-Ghamdi.
King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field: A global destination for equestrian sports
The King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field in Janadriyah is a world-class sporting venue, its importance extending beyond hosting local races. It has become a global attraction, hosting prestigious international races such as the Saudi Cup. These weekly races are a vital part of the Saudi equestrian calendar, contributing to the readiness of horses and riders for international competitions.
This ongoing sporting movement reflects the great support that the wise leadership gives to the sports sector in general and equestrianism in particular, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the quality of life and advance the sports sector to be an important economic and tourism tributary, in addition to preserving the ancient cultural heritage associated with Arabian horses.
