Horse racing is a staple of any sporting calendar in the Gulf. While more global sporting events such as mixed martial arts and tennis have grown in popularity and are regularly hosted across the region, traditional sports still maintain pride of place. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a rich history of horse racing that goes back to the days of when Bedouin tribes roamed the land. What started off as a simple test of equine prowess has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious events - most notably the Saudi Cup, which is the culmination of the season and boasts a mammoth $20 million prize.
With Riyadh Racing Season officially underway as of mid October, we take a closer look at this thrilling time of year in the Saudi Arabian capital.
When is Riyadh Racing Season?
During the winter months, the Middle East is at its most vibrant, opening up to a variety of outdoor events, from themed activities and family-friendly festivals to sporting tournaments such as golf and, of course, horse racing. Riyadh Racing Season, as this period in the Saudi capital is informally known, runs from late October or early November until the end of February, comprising a series of races held every weekend, along with several big-ticket tournaments that lead up to the Saudi Cup.
The 2025 racing season started off on 16 October and will conclude on 14 February, deliberately timed to end before Ramadan, the holy month of observance which is expected to commence the week after the final race. The season is divided into 50 meets, with 12 races held every week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at King Abdulaziz Racecourse (also known as King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field).
Apart from the weekly races, there are three major events scheduled in December and January, setting the stage for the February finale: the Crown Prince Cups Night on 5 December, Royal Cups Weekend on 26 and 27 December, and the trial weekend for the Saudi Cup on 16 and 17 January, featuring the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup and the King Abdulaziz Cup. That weekend will also host qualifiers for several other tournaments including the Neom Turf Cup, Riyadh Dirt Sprint, and Red Sea Turf Handicap.
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An Experience Beyond Racing
All of the races for the season are held at King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field, the largest venue of its kind in Saudi Arabia covering an area of 9 square kilometres. It features two different tracks - the main dirt track stretching over 2000 metres, and a turf track spanning 1800 metres that was added in 2019. Jockeys and trainers hold the dirt track in especially high regard, owing to its consistent surface that quite literally creates a level playing field for all competitors.
Apart from general admission, visitors have several tailored options to make the most of the season. The Viewing Gallery transforms every race into a cinematic event with just 200 plush seats, a dedicated service staff and an extensive menu. Alternatively, a table at the Club Room Restaurant can be reserved for the evening, with a direct view over the winning post while tucking into an international buffet.
For an even more exclusive experience, the Royal Quarter - a four-storey building that hosts Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during Saudi Cup weekend - can be rented out for private or corporate events. Guests can enjoy the races from elegantly appointed rooms, a roof terrace, or the gardens, while simultaneously holding official events such as conferences on any of the other floors. If you want the ultimate race experience, there is the Al Thuraya Suite, which can be rented out for the season. Able to accommodate 35 guests on 14 race nights including the Saudi Cup weekend, this lavish space includes private rooms, a viewing terrace, full in-suite service and catering services.
An exciting addition to the 2025 season is Friday Night Under the Lights, held every Friday evening from late November to the end of January. Evening races on a floodlit track, gourmet dining pop-ups, live entertainment and a variety of family-friendly activities that will especially appeal to the young ones provide an opportunity to open up the racecourse to a much wider audience and to make it a seasonal staple for families living in or visiting the city.
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A History of Racing in Riyadh
The nomadic Bedouin tribes that once flourished across the region would have engaged in horse racing as a bit of friendly competition between riders, but the first proper races were held under King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in the 1920s. The monarch, who was very passionate about Arabian purebreds, would organise informal contests between his sons in one of Riyadh’s desert districts. Those races would be viewed from and end on a hilltop, which would later be the site of the Kingdom’s first racecourse.
It would take another four decades for horse racing to become formalised, with the establishment of the Equestrian Club - today the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia - in 1965 under a Royal Decree from King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, alongside King Khalid Racecourse in the Taif district. Though racing was still viewed as a bit of lighthearted fun, its popularity would grow exponentially over the decades and attract increased participation from both local and international jockeys. Expansion became a necessity, but the racecourse’s residential location made that a tricky prospect. So the Royal Family looked to the northeast and opened a new racecourse in the Janadriya district in 2003. Named the King Abdulaziz Equestrian Square, this would become the nerve centre for horse racing in Saudi Arabia and the site of the world’s most valuable competition - the Saudi Cup.
First held in February 2020, the Saudi Cup is now considered to be the pinnacle of the annual racing season and is coveted for its very lucrative $20 million pot. It hosts the largest number of international participants compared to other races, offering a unique global racing platform. The inaugural race was a smashing success, and after a brief lull brought on by pandemic-related precautions, it has once again become the most highly anticipated event of the year.
Final Thoughts
Racing season in Riyadh has been a highlight of the Saudi capital’s events calendar since the establishment of the King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Hosting some of the world’s most prestigious races and providing a variety of options for visitors to enjoy their time at the track, it is a window into an essential aspect of Saudi sporting culture.
