The Saudi Cup

Name

The Saudi Cup

Legal name

Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia

Website

https://thesaudicup.com.sa

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Saudi Cup is the flagship event of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, a state-backed governing body operating horse racing at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. It hosts the world's richest race (US$20M purse) and a full racing season serving international participants, corporate sponsors, and approximately 100,000 annual spectators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horse Racing Events and Sports Hospitality

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKABAG

Equestrian Teams & Stables (Racing/Show Jumping/Eventing)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Professional Sports Teams & Clubs

SECONDARYAFAEAGAH

Equine Sales, Auctions & Bloodstock Agencies

Agriculture & Food Production/Animal Production & Aquaculture/Equine (Horse) Breeding & Operations

SECONDARYMPAEADAJ

Equine Veterinary, Welfare & Anti-Doping Services

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Gambling, Betting & Casinos/Horse Racing & Pari-Mutuel Betting

Keywords

• Horse racing events
• Thoroughbred racing
• Equestrian sports
• Racecourse hospitality
• International racing broadcast

Headquarters

HQ city

Riyadh

HQ country

Saudi Arabia

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales and Hospitality: Revenue from general admission (free), premium hospitality experiences including private suites, restaurants, race sponsorship packages, and event catering.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Brand partnerships with companies like Lucid, Saudia, SHG, STC, and Zood providing naming rights, signage, saddle cloth branding, and hospitality exposure.
3. Broadcasting Rights: International broadcast partnerships with networks across Europe, MENA, Americas, Asia, and Australasia generating media revenue.
4. Horse Auctions: Yearling sales offering horses with exceptional bloodlines to racing enthusiasts and professionals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Saudi Cup is the world's richest horse race with US$20M prize money, held annually at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia operates two annual racing seasons (Riyadh and Taif) totaling over 100 race nights and approximately 200 races, offering premium hospitality packages, yearling horse auctions, venue hire, and international broadcast distribution. The product combines international thoroughbred competition with Saudi cultural experiences, entertainment, and corporate hospitality.

Product overview

The Saudi Cup operates as the flagship offering within the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia's broader portfolio of horse racing entertainment and hospitality services. The core product is The Saudi Cup—the world's richest race (US$20M)—supported by two seasonal racing programs (Riyadh Racing Season and Taif Summer Racing Season). The portfolio includes event experiences (International Jockeys' Challenge), digital streaming services (Live Racing Stream, Race Programs, Nominations Game App), hospitality products (Private Suites, Club Room Restaurant, Al Thuraya Trackside Restaurant), venue hire services, race sponsorship packages, annual membership programs, and yearling horse auctions. These products serve racegoers, corporate clients, horse owners, and international racing professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Saudi Cup: The world's richest horse race, held annually at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with prize money of US$20m.
• Taif Racing Season
• Riyadh Racing Season

Products and services

• The Saudi Cup The world's richest horse race with US$20M prize money, held annually at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. Features international thoroughbred competition over 1800m dirt track as the centerpiece of a two-day racing festival.
• Saudi Cup Weekend Experience Two-day entertainment festival featuring international racing, cultural activities, fine dining, and hospitality experiences at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
• Riyadh Racing Season Annual racing season from October to March at King Abdulaziz Racecourse featuring 50 race nights on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
• Taif Summer Racing Season 10-week summer racing season at King Khalid Racecourse featuring 20 race nights across 10 weekends with 200 races and SAR 23 million in prize funds.
• International Jockeys' Challenge Unique jockey competition held during Saudi Cup Weekend featuring equal numbers of male and female international jockeys competing across four races for a US$100,000 prize pool with individual race prizes of US$400,000.
• Private Suites Exclusive trackside hospitality packages at the Al Thuraya building offering private rooms, viewing terraces, dedicated wait staff, and catering for 15-35 guests, available as single-night (375-500 SAR per person) or annual subscriptions (359,000 SAR plus VAT for 14 race nights).
• Live Racing Stream Free live streaming of horse racing from Taif and Riyadh racecourses via DAZN and YouTube platforms.
• Yearling Sale (Horse Auctions) Annual auction event offering carefully curated selection of yearlings with exceptional bloodlines, connecting sellers with racing enthusiasts and professionals.
• Annual Membership Premium membership offering access to exclusive lounges, 365-day clubhouse facilities, ownership experiences, reciprocal privileges with international race clubs, and guest passes.
• Venue Hire Event hosting services across three venues (King Abdulaziz Racecourse, King Khalid Racecourse, Malez clubhouse) for conferences, exhibitions, weddings, and celebrations with award-winning catering.
• Race Sponsorship Brand visibility packages including race naming rights, suite access, inner sanctum passes, and TV exposure for businesses at local, national, or international levels, starting from 10,000 SAR plus VAT.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 raceday patrons annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LucidcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerElectric vehicle brand sponsoring Saudi Cup with presence on official website and event materials. Part of the 2026 sponsor ecosystem providing brand visibility at the world's richest race.
• SaudiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSaudi Arabia's national airline providing sponsorship and brand presence during Saudi Cup weekend. Key partner in connecting international visitors to the event.
• Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco)/SHGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Saudi energy company sponsoring Saudi Cup events and hospitality experiences. Represents Vision 2030 alignment in energy sector partnerships.
• Saudi Telecom Company (STC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading Saudi telecommunications provider offering sponsorship and hospitality partnerships for Saudi Cup events.
• ZoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerE-commerce platform appearing as sponsor in 2026 sponsor ecosystem.
• Asian Racing Federation (ARF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Riyadh 2026, bringing together 600+ delegates from 40 countries. JCSA partnered with ARF to advance international racing standards and promote Saudi racing globally.
• International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJCSA achieved Part II status in IFHA's Blue Book in October 2021, with aspiration to reach Part I status. IFHA recognition critical for international racing credibility and participation.
• HowdencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInsurance provider sponsoring the Group 1 Neom Turf Cup Presented by Howden (US$3M) during Saudi Cup weekend.
• Saudi National BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSaudi Arabia's largest bank sponsoring the Riyadh Dirt Sprint Presented by Saudi National Bank (US$2M) during Saudi Cup weekend.
• DAZNcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal sports streaming platform providing free live coverage of all Saudi Cup races to international audiences.
• MBC GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Middle East broadcaster covering Saudi Cup events and growing local audiences year-round.
• FOX SportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican sports network broadcasting Saudi Cup events across the Americas.
• Racing TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based horse racing channel providing coverage of Saudi Cup events to British audiences.
• Saudi Equestrian Authority (SEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment body overseeing regulatory aspects of equestrian sports since 2020. JCSA collaborates with SEA to implement comprehensive welfare standards and establish global leading standards for horse welfare.
• Qiddiya CitycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Saudi entertainment destination presenting the Group 2 Turf Sprint during Saudi Cup weekend.
• Ministry of CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry curating diverse cultural experiences within the Obaiya Enclosure at Saudi Cup, including traditional performing arts, handicraft gallery, and 100 Saudi Brands activation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hong Kong Jockey Club: Operates world-class racing in Hong Kong, including the Longines Hong Kong International Races. Comparable as a state-regionally backed racing franchise with premium purses, strong broadcast footprint, and integrated wagering and hospitality operations.
• France Galop: The French governing body for flat and steeplechase racing, organizing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and other elite international races. A peer in running world-class racing programmes and shaping European racing standards.
• The Jockey Club (US): The dominant US thoroughbred racing organization, operating iconic venues and the Breeders' Cup series. A broad incumbent that shapes North American racing standards, breeding registries, and the calendar of premier races against which the Saudi Cup positions itself.
• Japan Racing Association (Japan Cup): Operates the Japan Cup, one of the richest and most internationally competitive races in Asia. Directly comparable in leveraging purse size to attract global participation, and a key competitor for the same pool of international horses that the Saudi Cup targets.
• Ascot Racecourse (Royal Ascot): Operator of Royal Ascot, the UK's flagship racing event with deep royal heritage and global prestige. Comparable in its role as a destination social and sporting event, though rooted in a centuries-old commercial and cultural racing ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Dubai Racing Club (Dubai World Cup): Operates the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse, the most direct MENA competitor to the Saudi Cup in the high-purse international horse racing category. Both are Gulf-based, state-supported, premium-purse racing events competing for the same pool of international horses, jockeys, and global broadcast attention.
• Breeders' Cup Limited: Organizes the annual Breeders' Cup World Championships, the year-end climax of the international flat racing calendar. Directly comparable as a multi-day, multi-million-dollar international racing championship competing for the same elite horses, trainers, and broadcast audience.
• Churchill Downs Incorporated (Kentucky Derby): Operates the Kentucky Derby, a globally iconic single race and a peer comparable to the Saudi Cup in leveraging a flagship event to anchor a multi-venue racing and wagering business. Direct competitor for international racing attention and US-based sponsors.
• Victoria Racing Club (Melbourne Cup): Runs the Melbourne Cup Carnival, one of the world's richest and most internationally recognized horse races. Direct peer in the elite international thoroughbred racing category, competing for top global fields, sponsorship dollars, and broadcast reach.

Regional players

• Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club: Qatar's national horse racing and equestrian authority, hosting the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe sponsorship and the HH The Amir's Sword Festival. A regional Gulf peer in the state-backed international racing space, with similar Vision-style national strategy alignment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JockeyClub_SA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@JockeyClub_SA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-saudi-cup
• Instagraminstagram.com/jockeyclub_sa
• TikToktiktok.com/@jockeyclub_sa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Saudi Cup