For the second consecutive year Fasig-Tipton will sponsor a best turned-out prize of SAR 10,000 (US$2,666) for the world’s richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
Fortifying its relationship with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company will include other Saturday races and add the Saudi Cup Friday card to its best turned-out rewards in 2025, making for a total reward of SAR 40,000 ($10,665) over 16 races to the grooms who take such dedicated care of horse racing’s stars.
In addition to the grand prize, SAR 2,500 ($667) will be awarded in 11 races over the two days: the $2 million Obaiyah Arabian Classic, $1.5 million Al Mneefah Cup, $2.5 million Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2T), $2 million 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T), $2 million Howden Neom Turf Cup (G2T), $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2), $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3), $1.5 million Jockey Club Local Handicap presented by Ministry of Culture, $500,000 Saudi International Handicap, $500,000 Tuwaiq Cup and the $250,000 Fillies Mile. Additionally, SAR 500 ($160) will be awarded for the $250,000 Sarawat Cup presented by Saudia and all four rounds of the Diriyah-sponsored International Jockeys’ Challenge.
The Saudi Cup’s meeting boasts a record-extending $38.1 million in purses and will feature horses from Bahrain, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.
The roster of Fasig-Tipton sales graduates contesting the weekend is highlighted by Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner and Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter Straight No Chaser (Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training) in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Alkhansaa (Kentucky October Yearlings) in the Fillies Mile and the trio of Scotland Yard (July Selected Horses of Racing Age), E J Won The Cup (E J Won the Cup Flash Sale on Fasig-Tipton Digital) and Alwaqqad (December Digital Sale) in the Tuwaiq Cup.
Fasig-Tipton will be represented on site by Anna Seitz, director of client relations, and Michael Adolphson, Middle East representative, who will judge the contests.
Christopher Bevan, chief commercial officer of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said:
“We are delighted to once again team up with Fasig-Tipton to reward the hardest-working people in the racing industry—the stable staff. It is a pleasure to welcome welcome Fasig-Tipton back to King Abdulaziz Racecourse for a second year in a row.”
Boyd Browning, president and chief executive officer of Fasig-Tipton, said:
“The Saudi Cup continues to excel on the global stage and Fasig-Tipton is thrilled and honored to take part in one of the world’s great race meetings, especially with so many horsemen in the region having supported Fasig-Tipton. We are thankful to the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia for not only being part of our growing relationship with the Middle East, but also for allowing us to reward those who work so hard taking such care of these great athletes.”
First post Friday is 4 p.m. local time (8 a.m. EST). First post Saturday is 3 p.m. (7 a.m. EST). The Saudi Cup main event will go as the final fixture, Race 9, with a post time of 8:40 p.m. (12:40 p.m. EST).
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
