<p>The Saudi Cup pays $20 million. Ten million of that goes to the winner. No other horse race on the planet comes close.</p> <p>On Saturday 14 February 2026, defending champion Forever Young will attempt to become the first horse to win back-to-back editions of the race, and he'll do it against a stacked international field featuring Breeders' Cup winners, American heavyweights, and some of the most exciting dirt runners Japan has produced in a generation.</p> <p>This guide covers everything Australian punters need to know about the seventh running of the Saudi Cup, from the full race card and prize money breakdown to the key contenders, betting markets, and how to watch it all unfold from home.</p> <h2>What Is the Saudi Cup?</h2> <p>The Saudi Cup is a Group 1 dirt race for thoroughbreds aged four and older, run over 1800 metres (about nine furlongs) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</p> <p>First held in 2020, it received Group 1 status from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in 2022.</p> <p>The race uses a one-turn configuration on the main dirt oval. Horses break from a long chute and negotiate a single left-hand bend before a lengthy home straight.</p> <p>That layout places a premium on tactical speed and a clean break from the gates. Wide draws haven't been a death sentence (Forever Young won from barrier 14 in 2025), but early positioning matters. Understanding <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/speed-maps">how to read a speed map</a> can help punters assess which runners are likely to find the front.</p> <p>The Saudi Cup sits at a strategic point on the international racing calendar. It falls roughly four weeks after the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park and four weeks before the Dubai World Cup at Meydan.</p> <p>That window makes it possible for top-class horses to contest all three, and several have attempted the Saudi Cup/Dubai World Cup double. Nobody has pulled it off yet, though Forever Young came agonisingly close in 2025 before falling short in Dubai.</p> <p>The event has grown into a two-day festival. Friday's opening night features the International Jockeys Challenge and supporting races, while Saturday's main card builds through seven international stakes before the Saudi Cup headlines proceedings as the final race of the evening.</p> <h2>Saudi Cup 2026: Key Details</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Date</strong>: Saturday 14 February 2026 (main card), Friday 13 February 2026 (opening night)</li> <li><strong>Venue</strong>: King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia</li> <li><strong>Surface</strong>: Dirt (one-turn configuration)</li> <li><strong>Distance</strong>: 1800 metres</li> <li><strong>Conditions</strong>: Group 1, weight-for-age, 4yo+</li> <li><strong>Maximum field</strong>: 14 runners</li> <li><strong>Prize money (main race)</strong>: US$20 million (A$31+ million)</li> <li><strong>Total weekend prize pool</strong>: US$39.6 million</li> <li><strong>Defending champion</strong>: Forever Young (JPN), trained by Yoshito Yahagi</li> <li><strong>Australian time (approx)</strong>: Around 4:40am AEDT on Sunday 15 February</li> <li><strong>Broadcast (Australia)</strong>: Channel 7 and Sky Racing</li> </ul> <h2>Saudi Cup 2026 Prize Money: A Breakdown of the World's Richest Purse</h2> <p>The numbers are staggering. The Saudi Cup's $20 million purse makes it comfortably <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/richest-horse-races-in-world-2025">the richest horse race ever staged</a>, and the gap between it and the next tier of races isn't even close.</p> <p>The winner takes home $10 million, with prize money distributed down to 10th place. Second receives $3.5 million, third gets $2 million, and even finishing 10th puts $200,000 in the connections' bank account.</p> <p>For Australian context, the entire <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup">Melbourne Cup</a> prize pool sits around A$8 million. <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/futures/horse/kentucky-derby-9810063">The Kentucky Derby</a> pays US$5 million. The Dubai World Cup offers US$12 million. The Saudi Cup dwarfs all of them.</p> <p>Beyond the main race, the total prize pool across the full Saturday card is supposed to reach approximately US$35 million. Add in Friday's opening night and the weekend total hits US$39.6 million. The individual undercard races carry prize money that would headline a carnival anywhere else in the world.</p> <h3>Saturday Undercard Purses</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Howden Neom Turf Cup (G1, 2100m turf)</strong>: US$3 million (upgraded to Group 1 for 2026, purse increased 50%)</li> <li><strong>Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2, 3000m turf)</strong>: US$2.5 million</li> <li><strong>1351 Turf Sprint (G2, 1351m turf)</strong>: US$2 million</li> <li><strong>Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2, 1200m dirt)</strong>: US$2 million</li> <li><strong>Obaiyah Arabian Classic (G1, dirt, Purebred Arabians)</strong>: US$2 million</li> <li><strong>ZOOD Realty Saudi Derby (G3, 1600m dirt)</strong>: US$1.5 million</li> <li><strong>Al Mneefah Cup (G1, turf, Purebred Arabians)</strong>: US$1.5 million</li> <li><strong>Lucid Tuwaiq Cup (Listed, 1800m dirt)</strong>: US$1 million</li> </ul> <p>The weekend's total prize pool has grown from US$29.2 million at the inaugural meeting in 2020 to nearly US$40 million in 2026.</p> <p>That 35% increase in seven editions signals just how seriously Saudi Arabia is investing in becoming a permanent fixture on the global racing calendar.</p> <h2>Saudi Cup Past Winners: A Short but Dramatic History</h2> <p>Six editions. Six different winners from four different countries. The Saudi Cup has already produced its share of controversy, heartbreak, and brilliance.</p> <p><strong>2020: Maximum Security (USA) | Trainer: Jason Servis | Jockey: Luis Saez</strong></p> <p>Won the inaugural edition but the result carries an asterisk. Trainer Jason Servis was later convicted of drug charges in the US, and the JCSA recommended disqualification in January 2024. The purse was withheld.</p> <p><strong>2021: Mishriff (IRE) | Trainer: John Gosden | Jockey: David Egan</strong></p> <p>Ran down hot favourite Charlatan in the stretch to win by a length. Went on to earn over $16 million in his career.</p> <p><strong>2022: Emblem Road (KSA) | Trainer: Mitab Almulawah | Jockey: Wigberto Ramos</strong></p> <p>A fairytale for Saudi racing. The locally trained horse outfinished Japanese raider Ushba Tesoro by half a length at odds that made plenty of bookies nervous.</p> <p><strong>2023: Panthalassa (JPN) | Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi | Jockey: Yutaka Take</strong></p> <p>The first Japanese-trained winner. Panthalassa used front-running tactics to devastating effect, holding off Bob Baffert's Country Grammer late. Yahagi's first Saudi Cup win.</p> <p><strong>2024: Senor Buscador (USA) | Trainer: Todd Fincher | Jockey: Luis Saez</strong></p> <p>A genuine upset. The New Mexico-based galloper had never raced outside the US before and shocked the field to take the $10 million first prize.</p> <p><strong>2025: Forever Young (JPN) | Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi | Jockey: Ryusei Sakai</strong></p> <p>Produced one of the great finishes in international racing. Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior, trying dirt for the first time, swept to the lead in the stretch, but Forever Young hunted him down in the final strides to win by a neck. The time of 1:49.09 was the fastest in the race's history. It was Yahagi's second Saudi Cup win in three years.</p> <h3>Key Trends from Past Winners</h3> <p>Japan has won three of the last four editions (Panthalassa, Senor Buscador broke the streak briefly, then Forever Young).</p> <p>Front-runners have mixed results. The one-turn layout suits horses with tactical speed, but closers like Forever Young and Mishriff have timed late runs perfectly. Bob Baffert has saddled a runner-up three times (Charlatan 2021, Country Grammer 2022 and 2023) without a win. The race has been wide open, with no odds-on winner in its history.</p> <h2>Saudi Cup 2026 Field and Key Contenders</h2> <p>The expected field for 2026 features runners from Japan, the United States, the UK, France, and Saudi Arabia. Fifty-seven individual Group or Grade 1 winners have been nominated across the full two-day meeting, with 14 Purebred Arabian Group 1 winners joining them. The nominations span 22 countries.</p> <h3>Forever Young (JPN)</h3> <p>The defending champion is the obvious headline act. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and owned by CyberAgent founder Susumu Fujita, Forever Young enters the 2026 Saudi Cup off the back of a Breeders' Cup Classic victory at Del Mar in November, which earned him the Eclipse Award as champion older dirt male for 2025. He was also rated the joint-top dirt horse in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings.</p> <p>His Riyadh record is flawless. He won the 2024 Saudi Derby, then came back 12 months later to land the main event in record time. If he wins again, he becomes the first dual Saudi Cup winner.</p> <p>He has placed third three times in his career, including the 2024 Kentucky Derby and 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic, both of which came when he was arguably short of peak fitness. Ten wins from 13 starts tells you everything about his consistency.</p> <h3>The American Challenge</h3> <p>Bob Baffert brings two strong contenders in Nysos (Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner) and Nevada Beach (Goodwood Stakes winner). Baffert has been second in this race three times without a win, and he's reportedly planning to attend in person for the first time in years. The frustration is real, and the desire to finally get the job done adds spice.</p> <p>Magnitude arrives for Steve Asmussen off a sharp win in the Clark Stakes, where he defeated 2025 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show. Rattle N Roll returns for Kenny McPeek after finishing fifth in 2025, and Banishing adds further US depth after contesting the Pegasus World Cup.</p> <h3>Japanese Support Act</h3> <p>Beyond Forever Young, Japan sends Luxor Cafe (12th in the 2025 Kentucky Derby, now more experienced) and Sunrise Zipangu, who carries extra intrigue as the runner for Japan's first-ever female trainer at this level, Kyoko Maekawa. Japanese runners have dominated the Saudi Cup in recent years, and the nation's overall strength on dirt continues to grow.</p> <h3>Local Hopes and Others</h3> <p>Mhally earned his spot by winning the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup, the main local qualifier, in January. The 2000 Guineas winner from the previous season showed genuine staying power over 1800 metres. Locally trained horses haven't won the Saudi Cup since Emblem Road's shock triumph in 2022, but the standard of Saudi-trained runners continues to improve each year.</p> <h2>Saudi Cup 2026 Full Race Card</h2> <p>The Saturday card is loaded. Eight races across dirt and turf, with the Saudi Cup itself closing the show. Every race on the card would be a feature event at most racing carnivals worldwide.</p> <h3>Saturday 14 February 2026</h3> <p><strong>Race 1: Howden Neom Turf Cup (G1, 2100m turf, US$3M)</strong></p> <p>Newly elevated to Group 1 status for 2026, making it Saudi Arabia's first top-level turf race. Defending winner Shin Emperor (from the Forever Young connections) returns against Rebel's Romance, a nine-time Group 1 winner for Godolphin, and Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter. Facteur Cheval, who tried the dirt in the Saudi Cup last year and finished seventh, switches back to turf.</p> <p><strong>Race 2: 1351 Turf Sprint (G2, 1351m turf, US$2M)</strong></p> <p>A truly international sprint. Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Shisospicy, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/horse-racing/international/royal-ascot">Royal Ascot</a> victor Lazzat, and former race winner Annaf headline a deep field. The quirky 1351-metre distance (roughly 6.75 furlongs) has become one of the most distinctive races on the global calendar.</p> <p><strong>Race 3: Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap (G2, 3000m turf, US$2.5M)</strong></p> <p>The staying test of the weekend. Joseph O'Brien dominates the expected field with three entries, including Melbourne Cup runner-up Goodie Two Shoes. Willie Mullins sends Absurde, and Japan has Struve and Vermicelles.</p> <p><strong>Race 4: DGDA Obaiyah Arabian Classic (G1, dirt, Purebred Arabians, US$2M)</strong></p> <p>The principal Purebred Arabian event on dirt. Strong Gulf representation expected.</p> <p><strong>Race 5: ZOOD Realty Saudi Derby (G3, 1600m dirt, US$1.5M)</strong></p> <p>Three-year-olds only, and this year it carries Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the first time (30 points to the winner). Brad Cox's My World, Kenny McPeek's Acknowledgemeplz, and Steve Asmussen's Obliteration lead the US contingent. Five Japanese runners add further depth, alongside local qualifier Al Haram.</p> <p><strong>Race 6: Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2, 1200m dirt, US$2M)</strong></p> <p>Baffert's Imagination (second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint) heads the speed division. Japan sends five runners, and Hong Kong's Self Improvement adds an interesting cross-continental angle.</p> <p><strong>Race 7: Ministry of Culture Al Mneefah Cup (G1, turf, Purebred Arabians, US$1.5M)</strong></p> <p>The premier Purebred Arabian turf event. Defending winner RB Kingmaker is set for a return.</p> <p><strong>Race 8: The Saudi Cup (G1, 1800m dirt, US$20M)</strong></p> <p>The main event. Post time is approximately 8:40pm local (4:40am AEDT Sunday).</p> <h3>Friday 13 February 2026</h3> <p>The opening night features the Diriyah International Jockeys Challenge across four races (each worth US$400,000), with seven male and seven female jockeys from around the world competing for individual honours. Australian jockey Caitlin Jones, who won the challenge in 2022, has been invited back to defend her title. Angela Jones also makes the trip, adding another Australian milestone to the occasion. The US$500,000 Saudi International Handicap rounds out the Friday card, with runners from Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Bahrain, and the Czech Republic adding a genuinely global flavour.</p> <h2>Saudi Cup 2026 Betting Markets for Australian Punters</h2> <p>Sportsbet offers markets on the Saudi Cup, though availability can depend on final field confirmations. The race's international profile and deep field make it attractive for several bet types. If you're new to wagering on the thoroughbreds, our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-horses-a-horse-racing-betting-guide">horse racing betting guide</a> covers the fundamentals.</p> <h3>Win and Place</h3> <p>The most straightforward option. With a maximum field of 14 and generally strong market leaders, the win market is the natural starting point. Place betting (top 3) can offer decent returns given the international nature of the field, where form lines across different jurisdictions create genuine uncertainty.</p> <h3>Exotics</h3> <p>Exactas, trifectas, and first fours are available through Sportsbet. The wide-open nature of the Saudi Cup (six winners from six editions, remember) makes exotic betting particularly appealing for punters willing to take a position against the favourite. Standout roughies like Emblem Road (2022) and Senor Buscador (2024) have kept the exotics interesting.</p> <h3>Futures and Ante-Post</h3> <p>Sportsbet may open futures markets ahead of the race. Getting on early can offer better value, particularly on contenders who might drift or harden as the field becomes clearer. The catch is that ante-post bets typically don't offer refunds for scratchings, so punters need to weigh the value against the risk of a late withdrawal.</p> <h3>Key Betting Angles to Consider</h3> <p>Dirt form is non-negotiable. The Saudi Cup is run on a surface that most European and Australian horses have never encountered. Romantic Warrior's brave second in 2025 was the exception, not the rule. Horses with proven dirt form from the US, Japan, or the Middle East hold a significant edge.</p> <p>Travel form matters. Flying horses halfway around the world isn't simple. Runners who've previously raced in Riyadh or Dubai have an advantage, because they've already handled the quarantine, climate change, and the unfamiliar dirt surface. Forever Young has raced in Riyadh twice and won both times. That kind of course experience counts.</p> <p>The one-turn layout rewards horses who can break cleanly and hold a forward position without burning too much energy. Wide barriers aren't ideal but aren't disqualifying. Jockey skill in navigating the initial positioning is more relevant than raw gate speed.</p> <p>Japanese runners deserve extra respect based on recent history. Three wins in four years isn't a fluke. Japanese trainers have become exceptionally skilled at preparing horses for international dirt campaigns, and their runners consistently outperform market expectations in Riyadh.</p> <h2>Saudi Cup 2026 Betting Tips and Key Angles</h2> <p>Forever Young is the clear market leader and will be hard to beat. His record at King Abdulaziz Racecourse is perfect (two starts, two wins), he's coming off a career-best performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic, and his trainer Yahagi has won this race twice.</p> <p>The horse has also shown he handles the one-turn configuration superbly, having overcome barrier 14 in 2025. There's no reason to think he can't become the first dual Saudi Cup winner.</p> <p>The case against him is straightforward: he hasn't raced since November, and the history of this race shows that defending champions haven't returned, let alone won again. Nobody's done the repeat. That creates a slight sliver of doubt for punters happy to take on the favourite.</p> <p>For those looking underneath, the Baffert pair of Nysos and Nevada Beach offer real interest. Baffert has finished second three times in six runnings, which tells you his horses consistently run well here without quite getting the job done. Whether that pattern breaks or continues, at least one of his runners figures to be in the finish.</p> <p>Magnitude looms as a serious each-way prospect. His Clark Stakes win over Hit Show (who went on to win the Dubai World Cup) represents rock-solid dirt form, and Steve Asmussen is an elite-level trainer. If the pace is strong early and Forever Young has to work, a late closer like Magnitude could pick up the pieces.</p> <p>The roughie to note is Sunrise Zipangu. Not because she's likely to win, but because she's trained by Kyoko Maekawa, Japan's first-ever female handler to saddle a runner in the Saudi Cup. The story angle alone will draw attention, and Japanese runners at this meeting have consistently outrun their odds.</p> <h2>How to Watch the Saudi Cup 2026 in Australia</h2> <p>Australian racing fans have two main broadcast options. Channel 7 and Sky Racing both hold rights to show the Saudi Cup meeting, giving punters access through free-to-air television and dedicated racing channels. For more options, check out our guide on <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/how-to-stream-horse-racing">how to stream horse racing</a> in Australia.</p> <p>The timing is tough for east coast viewers. The main Saudi Cup race is scheduled for approximately 8:40pm local time in Riyadh, which translates to around 4:40am AEDT on Sunday morning (15 February).</p> <p>The full Saturday card starts earlier in the evening Riyadh time, so Australian coverage of the undercard races should begin from around midnight AEDT.</p> <p>Sportsbet also streams international racing live through its platform, so punters with an account may be able to watch directly through the app. Check Sportsbet's streaming schedule closer to the day for confirmation.</p> <p>For those who can't stay up, results and replays will be widely available on Sunday morning through racing media and bookmaker platforms.</p> <h2>Saudi Cup 2026: Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>What time is the Saudi Cup 2026 in Australia?</h3> <p>The main race is expected to jump at approximately 4:40am AEDT on Sunday 15 February 2026. The full Saturday card starts earlier, with undercard races running from around midnight AEDT.</p> <h3>How much prize money does the Saudi Cup winner receive?</h3> <p>The winner takes home US$10 million from the US$20 million total purse. Prize money is distributed down to 10th place. The total weekend prize pool across both days exceeds US$39.6 million.</p> <h3>Can I bet on the Saudi Cup in Australia?</h3> <p>Yes. Sportsbet typically offers win, place, and exotic markets on the Saudi Cup. Availability depends on final field confirmations.</p> <h3>Who won the 2025 Saudi Cup?</h3> <p>Forever Young (JPN), trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Ryusei Sakai, won the 2025 Saudi Cup in a thrilling neck finish over Romantic Warrior. The winning time of 1:49.09 was the fastest in the race's history.</p> <h3>Is Forever Young running in the 2026 Saudi Cup?</h3> <p>Yes. Forever Young has been confirmed as an expected runner for the 2026 Saudi Cup. He's the defending champion and is seeking to become the first horse to win the race twice.</p> <h3>How does the Saudi Cup compare to the Melbourne Cup?</h3> <p>In prize money terms, the Saudi Cup is in a different league. The Saudi Cup purse (US$20 million) is roughly five times larger than the Melbourne Cup (approximately A$8 million). The two races are vastly different in format: the Saudi Cup is 1800m on dirt, while the Melbourne Cup is 3200m on turf. They attract different types of horses, though both draw genuine international fields.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/biggest-horse-racing-events-attendance">The race days that draw the biggest crowds on the planet</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/most-beautiful-racecourses-world-bucket-list">Bucket list racecourses every racing fan should visit</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/famous-australian-racehorses">The horses that captured Australia's heart</a></li> </ul>