The King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, is witnessing a prominent sporting and heritage event with the launch of the grand race meeting for the cups of the "His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Arabian Horse Festival" in its 2026 edition. This festival comes under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, to confirm the prestigious position that the Kingdom occupies in the world of equestrianism and purebred Arabian horse racing.
Elite gathering and global competition
Over two exciting days (Thursday and Friday), the finest purebred Arabian horses will gather to compete in sixteen races, varying in classification and the ages of the participating horses. Leading these races is the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Cup, an internationally classified Group 1 (G1) race and considered the festival's icon, alongside the Princess Munira bint Abdulaziz bin Musaed bin Jalawi Cup and the Al-Khalidiyah International Cup, a Group 2 (G2) race.
A touch of loyalty in the world of equestrianism
In a testament to the noble values of horsemanship, based on loyalty and appreciation, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz established a special race named after the late world-renowned trainer, Mutlaq bin Mushrif bin Shanan Al-Qahtani. This race, with a prize of one hundred thousand dollars, honors the deceased's career and contributions to equestrianism. Twelve prominent horses will compete, including "Jaisan," owned by Khalaf bin Rabah Al-Shammari, and "Al-Anoud FBR," owned by Khalid Fahd Al-Houshan.
The strongest horses in the $1.5 million race
All eyes are on the final list of horses participating in the main race (Prince Sultan Cup – Class 1), designated for horses rated 100 and above, with a grand prize of one and a half million dollars. Leading the field are the champion "Nadeem Al-Muluk Al-Khalidiyah," winner of the King Faisal Cup, the horse "Najeeb Al-Zaman," in addition to "Mutawakkil Al-Khalidiyah," boasting a record of ten victories, and the French-bred horse "Barshousa Al-Ashai.".
A rich history and continuous development
This festival reflects a remarkable historical development for Arabian horse racing in the Kingdom. The Cup was established in its first edition in 2016 with a prize of one million riyals, and the ceiling of ambition and prizes gradually rose until it reached one and a half million dollars, with it obtaining the first category (G1) classification globally in 2020. The accompanying cups also witnessed a similar development, as the classification of the Al-Khalidiyah Stables Cup rose to the second category (G2) in 2024, reflecting the international weight of the race.
Extra rounds and quality participation
The excitement isn't limited to the main races, as the Princess Munira bint Abdulaziz race (with a $300,000 prize) promises fierce competition, led by "Bint Ghaliyah Al-Khalidiyah" and "Mubarazah Al-Khalidiyah." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Cup and the Emirate of Al-Jawf Cup will also be held, featuring a selection of top mares and horses, most notably the contender "Al-Muqam," owned by the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. This adds diversity and prestige to the festival's events, which have become a global destination for Arabian horse enthusiasts.
