The Saudi Cup
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
The Saudi Cup firmographics
Firmographics- 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
The Saudi Cup industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Horse Racing Events and Sports Hospitality
- NAICS
- Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Equestrian Teams & Stables (Racing/Show Jumping/Eventing) (MPAKABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Equine Sales, Auctions & Bloodstock Agencies (AFAEAGAH), Equine Veterinary, Welfare & Anti-Doping Services (MPAEADAJ)
Keywords
Where The Saudi Cup is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Riyadh
- HQ country
- Saudi Arabia
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Saudi Cup business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales and Hospitality: Revenue from general admission (free), premium hospitality experiences including private suites, restaurants, race sponsorship packages, and event catering.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Brand partnerships with companies like Lucid, Saudia, SHG, STC, and Zood providing naming rights, signage, saddle cloth branding, and hospitality exposure.
- Broadcasting Rights: International broadcast partnerships with networks across Europe, MENA, Americas, Asia, and Australasia generating media revenue.
- Horse Auctions: Yearling sales offering horses with exceptional bloodlines to racing enthusiasts and professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Saudi Cup 2027 event experience at King Abdulaziz Racecourse |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Taif General Admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Taif Race Sponsorship |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Riyadh Race Sponsorship |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Riyadh Private Suite (Single Race Night) |
| Subscription | Annual | Riyadh Annual Private Suite |
| Subscription | Annual | Taif Annual Private Suite |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Club Room Restaurant & Lounge |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Saudi Cup product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use The Saudi Cup
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Saudi Cup technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Saudi Cup partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LucidcoreElectric 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.
- SaudiacoreSaudi 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)/SHGcoreMajor Saudi energy company sponsoring Saudi Cup events and hospitality experiences. Represents Vision 2030 alignment in energy sector partnerships.
- Saudi Telecom Company (STC)coreLeading Saudi telecommunications provider offering sponsorship and hospitality partnerships for Saudi Cup events.
- ZoodminorE-commerce platform appearing as sponsor in 2026 sponsor ecosystem.
- Asian Racing Federation (ARF)coreHost 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)coreJCSA 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.
- HowdencoreInsurance provider sponsoring the Group 1 Neom Turf Cup Presented by Howden (US$3M) during Saudi Cup weekend.
- Saudi National BankcoreSaudi Arabia's largest bank sponsoring the Riyadh Dirt Sprint Presented by Saudi National Bank (US$2M) during Saudi Cup weekend.
- DAZNcoreGlobal sports streaming platform providing free live coverage of all Saudi Cup races to international audiences.
- MBC GroupcoreMajor Middle East broadcaster covering Saudi Cup events and growing local audiences year-round.
- FOX SportscoreAmerican sports network broadcasting Saudi Cup events across the Americas.
- Racing TVcoreUK-based horse racing channel providing coverage of Saudi Cup events to British audiences.
- Saudi Equestrian Authority (SEA)coreGovernment 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 CitycoreMajor Saudi entertainment destination presenting the Group 2 Turf Sprint during Saudi Cup weekend.
- Ministry of CulturecoreGovernment 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
The Saudi Cup competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad 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
The Saudi Cup social profiles
Digital presenceThe Saudi Cup financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Saudi Cup leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
The Saudi Cup funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Saudi Cup M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Saudi Cup
What does The Saudi Cup do?
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.
When was The Saudi Cup founded?
The Saudi Cup was founded in 1965. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Saudi Cup based?
The Saudi Cup is headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the Middle East region.
How does The Saudi Cup make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales and Hospitality is the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship, broadcasting Rights and horse Auctions.
Who are The Saudi Cup's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hong Kong Jockey Club, France Galop, The Jockey Club (US), Japan Racing Association (Japan Cup) and Ascot Racecourse (Royal Ascot). Direct peers are Dubai Racing Club (Dubai World Cup), Breeders' Cup Limited, Churchill Downs Incorporated (Kentucky Derby) and Victoria Racing Club (Melbourne Cup). Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club is listed as a regional player.
Does The Saudi Cup have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Saudi Cup.
What industry is The Saudi Cup in?
The Saudi Cup's product category is Horse Racing Events and Sports Hospitality. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKABAG, Equestrian Teams & Stables (Racing/Show Jumping/Eventing), with a secondary code of AFAEAGAH, Equine Sales, Auctions & Bloodstock Agencies. Its NAICS code is 711211.