Horse Racing

Saudi Cup 2025: Date, Time, Location, How to Watch, Purse

Matthew Lomon, Railbirds Updated: Feb 19 2025 21:15

Saudi Cup Weekend, otherwise known as the richest two days in Thoroughbred racing, draws near.

The finest competitors, equine and human, from around the globe will begin their descent on King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Friday, Feb. 21 for the eight-race Opening Night card.

Here, 14 of the world’s top jockeys – seven men and seven women – will compete for the International Jockey Challenge trophy over four races.

That, however, is just the appetizer.

The celebration gets even more decadent on Saturday, as the sixth edition of the $20 million Saudi Cup – Saudi Cup Weekend’s titular event – goes up for grabs. Standing tall as the World’s Richest Race, the Saudi Cup features a deep field of 15 expected hopefuls.

Saudi Cup Saturday also features eight more tantalizing events, including the Neom Turf Cup (Gr. 2), Red Sea Turf Handicap (Gr. 2), and Group 1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic.

Altogether, Saudi Cup Weekend boasts 17 total races, which together, carry a collective purse value greater than $38.1 million USD.

Money certainly talks, but there’s plenty more to know about the most lavish day on the worldwide Thoroughbred racing calendar.

Fortunately, it’s all right here on bet365.

2025 Saudi Cup date

The 2025 edition of the $20 million Saudi Cup will be run on Saturday, February 22.

2025 Saudi Cup start time

Post time for the 2025 Saudi Cup is 12:00 PM ET.

2025 Saudi Cup location and venue

The 2025 Saudi Cup will be held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

2025 Saudi Cup purse

With a purse of $20 million USD, the Saudi Cup is the richest Thoroughbred race. Here is a look at how the funds are distributed by finishing position:

1st: $10 million
2nd: $3 million
3rd: $2 million
4th: $1.5 million
5th: $1 million
6th: $600,000
7th: $500,000
8th: $400,000
9th: $300,000
10th: $200,000

How to watch the 2025 Saudi Cup, TV channel

The 2025 Saudi Cup will be broadcast live on Sportsnet 360 via Ignite World Racing.

Television coverage begins at 11:30 AM ET.

Full event schedule for the 2025 Saudi Cup

The festivities kick off on Friday, February 21 with eight thrilling tilts, including four International Jockey Challenge events.

The main event, the $20 million Saudi Cup, runs live on Saturday, February 22. It will be surrounded by eight more lucrative races.

See the specs of each heart-pounding contest going off on Saudi Cup Weekend below.

Friday, February 21 (International Jockey Challenge races)

Race 1 – Fillies Mile

Purse: $250,000
Distance: 1 mile
Age: 3
Surface: Dirt

Race 3 – Sarawat Cup

Purse: $400,000
Distance: 7 furlongs
Age: 4
Surface: Dirt

Race 7 – Tuwaiq Cup

Purse: $500,000
Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Age: 4+
Surface: Dirt

Race 8 – Al Mneefah Cup (Group 1)

Purse: $1.5 million
Distance: 1 5/16 miles
Age: 4+
Surface: Turf

Saturday, February 22 (Saudi Cup Night)

Race 1 – Jockey Club Local Handicap

Purse: $1.5 million
Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Age: 4+
Surface: Dirt

Race 2 – Obaiyah Arabian Classic (Group 1)

Purse: $2 million
Distance: 1 1/4 miles
Age: 4+
Surface: Dirt

Race 3 – Saudi Derby (Group 3)

Purse: $1.5 million
Distance: 1 mile
Age: 3
Surface: Dirt

Race 4 – Riyadh Dirt Sprint (Group 2)

Purse: $2 million
Distance: 6 furlongs
Age: 3+
Surface: Dirt

Race 5 – Saudi International Handicap

Purse: $500,000
Distance: 1 5/16 miles
Age: 3+
Surface: Turf

Race 6 – Neom Turf Cup (Group 2)

Purse: $2 million
Distance: 1 5/16 miles
Age: 3+
Surface: Turf

Race 7 – 1351 Turf Sprint (Group 2)

Purse: $2 million
Distance: 6 3/4 furlongs
Age: 3+
Surface: Turf

Race 8 – Red Sea Turf Handicap (Group 2)

Purse: $2.5 million
Distance: 1 7/8 miles
Age: 3+
Surface: Turf

Race 9 – Saudi Cup (Group 1)

Purse: $20 million
Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Age: 3+
Surface: Dirt

Saudi Cup history

Despite still being in its relative infancy, the Saudi Cup has earned its place among the world’s most influential Thoroughbred events.

Equipped with a strong cultural element through traditional foods, live music, art shows, and performances, the Saudi Cup is more than just the World’s Richest Race.

The centrepiece of Saudi Cup Weekend first obtained its seat at the table in 2020 when the inaugural edition of the Group 1 affair ran on Feb. 29.

Although it got off to a rocky start – initial winner Maximum Security was later disqualified following an investigation into trainer Jason Servis – the race rebounded in the years that followed to become a can’t-miss spectacle.

The third edition of the Saudi Cup, which took place in 2022, is regarded by locals as one of, if not the most celebrated moments in Saudi racing history. Emblem Road, the horse responsible for delivering the highlight victory, is owned by Saudi royal Prince Saud Bin Salman Abdulaziz.

That was also the year the Saudi Cup garnered Group 1 status.

This year’s running marks the sixth edition of the Saudi Cup, and Saudi Cup Weekend will be the most valuable horse racing event in the world with a total purse value of $38.1 million. It exceeds the previous high of $37.6 million set in 2024.

Exploring King Abdulaziz Racecourse – history, track specs, and more

The venue that hosts the World’s Richest Race comes with a name fit for a king, literally.

Named in honour of the founder and first king of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz Racecourse is the heartbeat of the Middle Eastern nation’s thriving Thoroughbred racing scene.

Situated on nine square kilometres of land, the racecourse officially known as King Abdul Aziz Equestrian Square opened in January 2003. It is able to accommodate up to 25,000 racegoers.

The venue’s main track is a 1 1/4-mile dirt course, and it is the site of the $20 million Saudi Cup. In 2020, King Abdulaziz Racecourse added a 1 1/8-mile turf course, which is the home of several top flight contests, including the Neom Turf Cup and 1351 Turf Sprint.

Saudi Arabia’s rich history of horse racing long precedes its world-class oval. The country’s first horse racing venue was built in 1965 in the Marat district in Riyadh. However, the original track was too small and therefore not equipped to indulge the international horse racing community.

That changed with the construction of King Abdulaziz Racecourse, which now ranks amongst the world’s preeminent Thoroughbred racing destinations.