1. Race conditions for the six graded stakes in the Saudi Cup Day
2. Expected Japanese runners in the Saudi Cup Day
   1. R3 G2 Neom Turf Cup
   2. R4 G2 1351 Turf Sprint
   3. R5 G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap
   4. R6 G3 Saudi Derby
   5. R7 G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint
   6. R8 G1 Saudi Cup
3. 2025 Saudi Cup Day Latest Information

Race conditions for the six graded stakes in the Saudi Cup Day

Riyadh Dirt Sprint and Red Sea Turf Handicap have been upgraded to the international G2.

Expected Japanese runners in the Saudi Cup Day

Expected Japanese runners in the Saudi Cup Day are listed below.
*All data is as of February 5, 2025.

G2 Neom Turf Cup

The Neom Turf Cup is a Group 2 international race held at Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Racetrack, contested over 2100 meters on turf. This race is one of the key undercard events on Saudi Cup Day, complementing the Saudi Cup as the centerpiece. Established in 2020 under the name Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup, it was renamed to its current title in 2021. To qualify, international horses must have placed 4th or better in a graded stakes or Listed race in a Part 1 country, as recognized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and have a national rating of at least 100 pounds (96 pounds for fillies and mares).

G2 1351 Turf Sprint

The 1351 Turf Sprint is a Group 2 international race held at Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Racetrack, run over 1351 meters on turf. It is one of the feature undercard races on Saudi Cup Day, alongside the Saudi Cup itself. The race was established in 2020 under the name 1351 Cup and was renamed to its current title in 2021. For international horses to be eligible, they must have placed 4th or better in a graded stakes or Listed race in a Part 1 country, as recognized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and have a national rating of at least 100 pounds (96 pounds for fillies and mares). Japanese-trained horses have excelled in this race, with Songline and Bathrat Leon claiming consecutive victories in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Notably, the distance of 1351 meters is symbolic, referencing the Islamic year 1351, the year Saudi Arabia was founded.

G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap

The Red Sea Turf Handicap is a Group 3 international race held at Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Racetrack, contested over 3000 meters on turf. This race is one of the key undercard events on Saudi Cup Day, supporting the Saudi Cup as the main feature. Originally established in 2020 under the name Longines Turf Handicap, it was renamed to its current title in 2021. To qualify, international horses must have placed 4th or better in a graded stakes or Listed race in a Part 1 country, as recognized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and have a national rating of at least 100 pounds (96 pounds for fillies and mares). In 2022, the first running as a G3, Japanese runner Stay Foolish captured victory. In 2023, another Japanese-trained horse, Silver Sonic, followed up with a win, marking consecutive triumphs for Japan.

G3 Saudi Derby

The Saudi Derby is a horse race held at Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Racetrack, classified as an International G3 race. It is run over 1600 meters on dirt. The race is part of the Saudi Cup Day undercard, held on the same day as the prestigious Saudi Cup. First inaugurated in 2020 as the Samba Saudi Derby, the race was renamed to its current title starting in 2021. The inaugural winner of the Saudi Derby was Japanese runner Full Flat, followed by another Japanese horse, Pink Kamehameha, claiming victory in the second edition, marking back-to-back wins for Japan. In 2023, Commissioner King captured the title, becoming the first local horse to win the race.

G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint

The Riyadh Dirt Sprint is a horse race held at Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Racetrack, run over 1200 meters on dirt. It is one of the feature undercard races held on Saudi Cup Day, alongside the main event, the Saudi Cup. The race was established in 2020 under the name Saudia Sprint and was renamed to its current title in 2021. For international horses to be eligible, they must have placed 4th or better in a graded stakes or Listed race in a Part 1 country, as recognized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and have a national rating of at least 100 pounds (96 pounds for fillies and mares). The winner of Japan’s G3 Capella Stakes is granted an automatic berth into this race. In 2022, Dancing Prince secured victory in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint after winning the previous year's Capella Stakes. His international debut was a dominant performance, taking the race by an impressive 5-length margin.

G1 Saudi Cup

The Saudi Cup is an international Grade 1 race held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia. The race is run over 1800 meters on dirt and boasts a total purse of $20 million USD, making it the richest horse race in the world. It was established in 2020 by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia as an international event and was upgraded to a Grade 1 race in 2022. The previous year’s Champions Cup (G1) winner and the Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner are granted automatic entry to this prestigious race.

2025 Saudi Cup Day Latest Information