2023 Saudi Cup Brochure (in collaboration with MOC)

FEBRUARY 24 & 25 2023

The World’s Most Valuable Race

The Saudi Cup is the social and sporting highlight of The Kingdom’s burgeoning events calendar and combines the best of fashion, culture, lifestyle and family entertainment with the thrilling world of international horse racing.

Held at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, The Saudi Cup is an exciting two days of top tier on-track horse racing action consisting of 16 races and boasting a combined prize purse of USD$35.35m.

This makes The Saudi Cup, now in its fourth year, the most valuable horse racing event in the world and the greatest racehorses, jockeys, trainers and owners will travel to Riyadh to compete against the very best of Saudi’s racing industry for a slice of the winnings. For two days at the end of February, Riyadh will become the centre of the racing world and you have the chance to be there.

Saudi Cup Day One

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2023

A unique event in the racing world, The International Jockeys Challenge presented by stc puts the jockeys in the spotlight.

Seven international female and seven international male jockeys compete as individuals for a prize purse of $100,000, while the local horse connections stand to win a share of the $400,000 prize money at stake for each of the four contests.

The only event of its kind to feature equal numbers of men and women, these supreme athletes fight it out on locally-trained horses over a series of four races on the Friday of race weekend.

History was made during the inaugural running of this Challenge when New Zealand rider, Lisa Allpress became the first woman to win a horse race in Saudi Arabia. Now this is one of the go-to Jockeys Challenges in the world and a showcase for the best of local talent against the most renowned international riders.

Also featuring on the Friday racecard is the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap, the Tuwaiq Cup for locally trained horses and the new Group 2Listed Al Mneefah Cup for Purebred Arabians.

Friday, 24 February 2023 International Jockeys Challenge

Gates Open: 1.00 PM First Race: 3.15 PM

3.15 PM The Fillies Mile

3.45 PM International Jockeys Challenge R1 presented by stc

4.15 PM International Jockeys Challenge R2 presented by stc

4.45 PM Tuwaiq Cup presented by Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib

5.15 PM International Jockeys Challenge R3 presented by stc

5.45 PM International Jockeys Challenge R4 presented by stc

6.25 PM Saudi International Handicap 90-110 presented by Al Rajhi Bank

6.55 PM G2 Al Mneefah Cup presented by the Ministry of Culture

12.00 AM Gates Close

Saudi Cup Day Two

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25, 2023

The USD$20m Saudi Cup, the highlight of the weekend, is a global Group 1 flat race held over 1800m and is the richest race in the world.

Won in 2022 by Prince Saud bin Salman Abdulaziz’s local runner Emblem Road (USA), The Saudi Cup is beamed into more than 350million homes worldwide.

It is shown in every corner of the globe from the USA and Europe to China, South America and Southeast Asia. For the 2023 Saudi Cup the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia is throwing open the gates and inviting spectators to join us at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh to witness firsthand the fourth running of this spectacular horse race.

As well as The Saudi Cup, the raceday also features five highly regarded Group 3 races on both dirt and turf, the Group 1 Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabian racehorses, and the Jockey Club Handicap for locally-trained horses.

Saturday, 25 February 2023

The Saudi Cup

First Race: 3.45 PM Gates Open: 1.00 PM

3.45 PM Jockey Club Local Handicap presented by the Ministry of Culture

4.25 PM G1 Obaiya Arabian Classic

5.05 PM G3 Neom Turf Cup presented by Altanfeethi

5.45 PM G3 1351 Turf Sprint presented by stc

6.25 PM G3 Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap

7.05 PM G3 Saudi Derby presented by Boutique Group

7.45 PM G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Sports Boulevard

8.35 PM G1 Saudi Cup

9.30 PM Closing ceremony

2.00 AM Gates Close

Cultural Village and Family Entertainment

GENERAL ADMISSION

The Obaiya Enclosure accessed with a General Admission ticket, is the beating heart of Saudi Cup weekend. It combines music, cultural entertainment, a kids’ play zone and the highly anticipated Saudi Cup fashion and style activations with delicious food offerings and big-screen race viewing. It is the place to see and be seen on Saudi Cup race weekend.

General Admission

General admission tickets offer access to the beating heart of The Saudi Cup including music, dance, dining and family entertainment as well as big screen and trackside seating.

General admission tickets are a firm family favourite at The Saudi Cup. The Cultural Village, with its family entertainment and Ministry of Culture activations provide a host of activities and retail therapy for Saudi Cup racegoers. With delicious food and drink offerings, a kids’ play zone, live music and dance as well as track side viewing with limited seating and a big screen showing all the sporting action, there is something for everyone.

Tickets

General Admission SAR199 – SAR800

Minimum age: 6 years

One Day SAR199

Two Days SAR275

Free Parking

Family package (discount for four family members)

One Day SAR450

Two Days SAR800

Free Parking

Exclusive Private Suites

A private suite will ensure exclusivity for your group and provide the perfect place to celebrate Saudi Cup weekend. With a spectacular vantage point over the racecourse, each suite offers unsurpassed race views at the heart of the action for your party of up to 25 guests on both Friday and Saturday.

• Access to a Private Suite

• Abundant international buffet menu served in your suite and replenished from 2pm to midnight*

• Selection of beverages including juices, soft drinks, water and own Espresso machine

• Private balcony with indoor and outdoor seating

• Exclusive butler service

• One Racecard per person

• Exclusive VIP parking space per person

• Maximum 25 guests

*Please advise of any dietary requirements on the day. Vegan / vegetarian dishes available.

Booking enquiries:

tickets@thesaudicup.com.sa

+966 114 817 919 / +966 538 457 892

Al Thuraya Hospitality

Yauatcha

A modern incarnation of the traditional Chinese teahouse and winner of the Best Asian Restaurant 2022 award from TimeOut Riyadh, Yauatcha debuts at Saudi Cup 2023 in the new state-ofthe-art trackside Al Thurayaالثريا building with an extensive buffet rooted in Cantonese traditions. Ingredients are at the peak of their freshness and quality, offering tender sweet and savoury tastes with every mouthful.

This exclusive trackside ground floor restaurant, moments from sweeping panoramic views of the winning post and track, offers an enviable raceday package and provides private tables with exquisite buffet and dessert bar. Take a seat at your reserved dining table conveniently close to where you can watch the world’s finest thoroughbreds compete and revel in the atmosphere of Saudi Cup weekend.

• Reserved table from 2pm – midnight (indoor or outdoor table selected on booking)*

• Extensive Cantonese themed buffet and dessert bar until 11pm**

• Beverages including juices and soft drink until 11.30pm.

• Full wait service

• One racebook per person

• Complimentary parking per person

*Tables of 4, 6, 8 and 9.

**Vegan / Vegetarian dishes available.

OKTO

Riyadh’s popular contemporary Greek restaurant makes its first appearance at Saudi Cup in 2023 and is nested in the heart of the racecourse on the third-floor of the new state-of-the-art trackside Al Thuraya الثريا building. An extensive buffet brings an array of fresh ingredients from Greece in a captivating modern setting elevating racegoers’ experiences with an explosion of flavors in every dish. Choose your reserved dining table upon booking and enjoy the world’s finest thoroughbreds competing in a two-day meeting headlined by the world’s richest race.

• Reserved table from 2pm – midnight (indoor or outdoor table selected on booking)*

• Extensive Greek themed buffet and dessert bar until 11pm**

• Beverages including juices and soft drink until 11.30pm.

• Full wait service

• One racebook per person

• Complimentary parking per person

*Tables of 4, 6 or 8 and 9.

**Vegan / Vegetarian dishes available.

Lusin

Internationally renowned Lusin restaurant makes its debut at the Saudi Cup 2023 in the new state-of-the-art Al Thuraya building with enticing Armenian specialties famous for its distinctive aromas and flavours. Lusin takes its guests on a gastronomic journey inspired by old traditions and special recipes. Using thoughtfully chosen ingredients and bold, seasonal flavours, the menu showcases the culinary team’s interpretation of traditional Armenian cuisine served in sublime surroundings offering groundfloor access to a vantage point of the world’s finest thoroughbreds competing in a two-day meeting headlined by the world’s richest race.

• Reserved table from 2pm – midnight (indoor or outdoor table selected on booking)*

• Extensive Armenian themed buffet and dessert bar (until 11pm)**

• Beverages including juices and soft drink (until 11.30pm)

• Full wait service

• One racebook per person

• Complimentary parking per person

*Tables of 4, 6, 8 and 9.

**Vegan / Vegetarian dishes available.

Ministry of Culture Activations

Photography Areas

Embark on a journey through various corners of photography, taking photographs of yourself in your own unique style to commemorate your joyful moments.

Sara Shakeel’s Oasis Gallery

When fantasy meets reality, you will see the earth in a new light; a glittering oasis, glowing dunes and a picturesque undulating desert landscape; enjoy this combination at the Oasis Gallery by artist Sara Shakeel.

Saudi House

Mud houses are architectural evidence of history, authenticity and creativity. In Saudi House, you will learn about the details of the Najdi architecture in designing hourses and their divisions through an interactive experience where you move from one room to another by solving various puzzles.

Children’s Area

An outdoor playing area for children that combines traditional with modern games and various leisure activities.

Saudi 100 Brands Exhibition

Join us on a fashion tour featuring unique pieces and designs that reflect the culture and authenticity of Saudi Arabia! This show will be held in collaboration with national talents in the fashion design sector.

Cultural Corridor

Walking through the cultural corridor, you will see spectacular scenes that reflect the cultural diversity and richness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Restaurants: A journey into Saudi Cuisine

Rakan Aloraifi is a Saudi chef who will cook disches inspired by various regions of the Kingdom. In this experience, your table will be turned into a movie screen using visual mapping to tell the story of the regions that served you their dishes.

Restaurants: International Cuisine

In collaboration with the renowned Japanese restaurant Roka, you can sample the most delectable international dishes.

Restaurants: The Traditional Saudi Dining Experience

In collaboration with one of the most prominent Saudi restaurants, this experience allows you to sample authentic Saudi dishes.

Restaurants: Cultural Kitchen

At this event, Chef Mona Moussalli presents you with the tastiest pastries and light meals from elements of Saudi cuisine.

Stage Show

Listen to the music of the Kingdom at the main theatre and enjoy live music and folk performances from the different regions of the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Culture Booth

Learn more about the Kingdom’s most prominent regions, heritage, arts, initiatives, activities, and cultural programs that the Ministry of Culture will launch.

The Mayyas

Watch the Mayyas dance crew put on an incredible show inspired by Saudi Culture.

Melodies

Enjoy an exquisite orchestral performance in a unique evening with a modern symphony that blends classic international melodies with authentic Saudi melodies.

DJ Bedouin

At the end of our ceremony, we will be joined by DJ Bedouin for a night filled with the most incredible melodies.

FEBRUARY 24 & 25 2023

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