Star jockeys and international horses line up for Saudi Cup qualifiers at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

The road to the $20 million Saudi Cup—the richest horse race in the world—heats up this weekend at Riyadh’s King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Featuring a stellar lineup of international runners and elite jockeys, the two-day racing spectacle sets the stage for February’s grand event. With Saudi Cup qualification on the line, every race carries high stakes and global intrigue.

The US Contingent: Big Names, Big Ambitions

Among the headline acts is US Grade 2 winner Rattle N Roll, set to run in Saturday's Group 3 SAR1,500,000 ($400,000) Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup. Trained by Kenny McPeek and leased by Saudi businessman Sharaf Al Hariri, Rattle N Roll has been earmarked for a Middle Eastern campaign that includes the Saudi Cup on February 22 and potentially the Dubai World Cup in April. Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario will pilot the Connect colt, aiming to showcase his quality in the 1800m contest, upgraded to Group 3 status for the first time this season.

Joining him is Doug O’Neill’s EJ Won The Cup, owned by HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz. The runner will be ridden by Triple Crown-winning legend Mike Smith, who also has rides on Index Fund in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint Qualifier and Grocer Jack in Friday’s Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup on turf.

Local Stars Poised to Shine

Saudi Arabia’s own racing talent is primed for a strong showing. Last year’s Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques winner Power In Numbers, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, returns to defend his title, with 2023 runner-up Scotland Yard also in contention under Adel Alfouraidi. Other local standouts include James Doyle’s mount Wootton’sun, a Listed Crown Prince Cup winner, and Carracci, the Group 1 King Saud Cup winner ridden by two-time Qatar champion jockey Alberto Sanna.

International Entries Add Flair

Friday’s card has attracted a wave of global talent, setting up a thrilling weekend of competition. Army Ethos (GB), formerly trained in the UK by Archie Watson, now represents Bahrain’s Fawzi Nass in the 1351 Turf Sprint Qualifier. Nass also fields Epsom Derby runner Macduff (GB), who will run in the Listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup under Sanna.

Adding to the international appeal are last year’s Saudi Cup runners Carmel Road (Tom Marquand) and Defunded (USA), both returning to Riyadh with eyes on redemption.

Arabian Races and Domestic Showdowns

Purebred Arabian talent will take center stage in races like the King Abdulaziz Cup for local-bred Arabians and the Al Mneefah Qualifier. These contests celebrate the region’s equine heritage and play a critical role in the Saudi Cup meeting.

Saturday’s Action-Packed Card

Saturday promises an electrifying day of racing, featuring the Group 3 2000 Guineas (Saudi Derby Qualifier), the Al-Diriyah Cup (PA G1 Obaiya Arabian Classic Qualifier), and two domestic Group 1 races. The SAR5 million ($1.3 million) King Abdulaziz Cup for three-year-olds is another highlight of a card packed with opportunities for both international and local stars.

The Countdown to the Saudi Cup

With just weeks to go until the Saudi Cup, the King Abdulaziz Racecourse serves as the ultimate proving ground for contenders. The presence of world-class jockeys like Joel Rosario, Mike Smith, and Tom Marquand underscores the international prestige of this event. Local champions are equally determined to make their mark on a global stage, ensuring that the weekend will be a thrilling showcase of talent and ambition.

As the curtain rises on the Saudi Cup qualifiers, all eyes are on Riyadh, where the road to glory begins.