The 2025 Saudi Cup, held at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, is set to captivate horse racing enthusiasts on February 22-23. This prestigious event features one of the richest purses ever, exceeding 15 billion yen, drawing elite competitors from across the globe.
Among the standout competitors is Romantic Warrior, known as the most distinguished horse of all time, making its dirt debut at the Saudi Cup. This six-year-old gelding boasts impressive statistics, having won 18 of 23 races and accumulated over 36 billion yen in earnings to date, making him the all-time leading money earner globally.
Japanese horses have historically excelled at this event, having secured victories in three of the past five Saudi Derbies. This year, the line-up includes top contenders like Forever Young, Wilson Tesoro, and others, promising fierce competition across various races.
The Saudi Cup day will feature six races, including the Saudi Derby, Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Neom Turf Cup, and the Red Sea Turf Handicap. Each race showcases the best of international talent, indicating the event's growing reputation and significance.
The Saudi Derby, set for 10:20 PM JST, includes notable entries such as Symphoever and Millard Love, who are both coming off impressive performances. This race, particularly, has been favorable for Japanese competitors, enhancing its allure for spectators.
At 11:00 PM JST, the Riyadh Dirt Sprint is anticipated to be another head-turner. With past successes leading to its nickname as a favorable event for Japanese horses, the race will feature familiar names like Remake and Igniter, as well as competition from international entrants.
The Neom Turf Cup follows, with prominent contenders aiming to clinch victory. Last year’s runner-up Killer Ability will strive for redemption, facing rivals like Shin Emperor and the acclaimed jockey Yutaka Take, who teams up with country’s top horses.
Meanwhile, the 1351 Turf Sprint, named after the Islamic year corresponding to Saudi Arabia’s founding, promises excitement with past victories from Japanese participants augmenting expectations for another repeat win.
And for those interested in long-distance racing, the Red Sea Turf Handicap presents strong competition, though Japanese horse Bizanchin Dream remains eager for success following streaks of challenges since its last win.
The night culminates with the Saudi Cup itself at 2:40 AM JST, featuring formidable contenders like Forever Young and last year’s runner-up Wilson Tesoro. The event is particularly noteworthy because if Romantic Warrior claims victory during its inaugural dirt race, it would mark history with potential earnings reaching 50 billion yen.
Given the high stakes and the blend of seasoned champions and rising stars, the 2025 Saudi Cup is positioned as not merely a race but as an extraordinary event poised to thrill audiences and participants alike.