Photo:

Shamela Hanley / Eclipse Sportswire

A strong entry of 28 Group and Grade 1 winners have been put forward for this year’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), which will take place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Feb. 22.

Last year’s Dubai World Cup (G1) winner, Laurel River, could face Breeders’ Cup Classic victor Sierra Leone and be joined by three-time Hong Kong Cup (G1) winner Romantic Warrior, 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, as well as last year’s Saudi Cup champion, Señor Buscador in what promises to be a spectacle.

Other notable runners who could feature in the 1 1/8-mile contest are last year’s Saudi Derby winner, Forever Young, 2024 Japanese Derby winner, Danon Decile, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint star Soul Of An Angel and five-time Argentine Group 1 winner El Kodigo.

Including the feature race, the two-day Saudi Cup meeting has attracted 1,123 entries, including 81 individual Group 1 winners, from a total of 21 countries who will fight it out for the $38.1 million prize money on offer across the Saudi Cup weekend held Feb. 21 and 22. Click here for a full list.

Japan-trained Warp Speed, runner-up in the Melbourne Cup (G1) in his last start, holds an entry for the newly upgraded Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2) and could be joined in the field by the U.K.-trained Al Nayyir, who finished fourth in the 2024 renewal of the race, and Continuous, the 2023 St Leger winner.

The Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer has been given the chance of defending his crown in the Neom Turf Cup (G2) and could line up alongside Japan Cup runner-up Shin Emperor and Danon Beluga, while dual Group 1 winners Measured Time and Al Riffa could represent the UAE and Ireland, respectively.

The 1351 Turf Sprint entries are led by last year’s winner Annaf and 2024 Prix Maurice de Gheest victor Lazzat, with Japan Group 1 winners Ten Happy Rose and Ascoli Piceno also entered.

Remake is set to bid for consecutive wins in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, which will be run as a Group 2 for the first time, with other notable entrants including Golden Shaheen (G1) winner Tuz and Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Straight No Chaser.

Last year’s Saudi Derby (G3) saw a Japanese victor in Forever Young, and another Japan horse tops the entries in the unbeaten Myriad Love. Getaway Car for the USA, Al Qudra and the Argentine Group 1 winner Giustino also are entered.

The Saudi Cup program on Friday is also highlighted by the International Jockeys Championship featuring seven male and seven female jockeys from around the world.

HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled Alfaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia said: “On behalf of everyone at the JCSA, I would like to extend my thanks to owners and trainers from around the world for their nominations for the 2025 Saudi Cup meeting. We are proud to be top of mind for the trainers of the world’s best from more than 20 countries, including many that have won at the highest level.