The excitement is building ahead of a blockbuster weekend at King Khalid Racecourse, where the spotlight falls on the JCSA Contribution races on Friday. With a staggering 1,000,000 SAR (US $266,000) in combined prize money up for grabs across two juvenile contests, the air around the paddock is buzzing with anticipation.
Champion jockey Adel Alfouraidi, widely regarded as one of Saudi Arabia’s finest, gently kissed Alsultan Seven’s muzzle before mounting — a small ritual for luck, but one that caught the attention of the crowd. As trainers, owners, and grooms looked on, the sense of occasion was unmistakable.
JCSA Contribution Races Set to Shine
The sixth and seventh races on Friday — both over 1400 metres — headline the day’s card, each offering a 500,000 SAR purse. Designed specifically for local-bred juveniles sold at the 2024 JCSA Yearling Sale, these races give connections the chance to launch promising two-year-olds onto the national stage.
In the colts and geldings division, a field of 13 runners lines up, featuring the highly anticipated debut of Alsultan Seven (KSA). Trained by Abdullah Alnahhabi and ridden by Adel Alfouraidi, the young prospect carries significant expectations. Among his key challengers is Moa’arekhom (KSA), a twice-raced colt representing Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz’s Red Stable and jockey Fahad Saad.
Fierce Competition Among the Fillies
The fillies’ contest promises just as much drama, with a full field of 16 declared. Alfouraidi again takes the spotlight, this time partnering Basmat Almuhamadih (KSA) for trainer Ahmed Alshaia. After a promising sixth on debut earlier this month, the filly is expected to improve sharply.
Among the opposition is Taghneik (KSA), trained by Gaith Alghaith and ridden by Alexis Moreno, who will be looking to turn a solid first run into something special on the big stage.
Arabian Stars Headline the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup Prep
Friday’s racing concludes with high-class Arabian action in the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup Prep Arabian Horses Open, where Bint Ghaliat Al Khalediah (KSA) leads the ratings for trainer Mousa Almasaodi and jockey Alfouraidi. The Almasaodi stable also saddles Maysour Al Khalediah (KSA), runner-up to Bint Ghaliat in a thrilling finish on August 16.
Adding further intrigue is Sir Amer (FR) from trainer Thamer Aldaihani’s barn, owned by Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah. The French-bred star was third behind the Al Khalediah pair last time but boasts valuable top-level experience, having finished a respectable seventh in the G1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic on Saudi Cup night.
Saturday’s Fillies And Mare Cup Tops Day Two
The action doesn’t stop on Friday. Saturday’s card features the 150,000 SAR Fillies And Mare Cup Local Bred Horses Open, headlined by Bint Farhh (KSA), a standout from the Red Stable trained by Sami Alharabi. Rated superior to her rivals, the seven-year-old mare returns after an impressive win in the Mishrif Bin Motlaq Bin Shanaan Cup in Riyadh earlier this year.
Saturday’s finale, the Alshfa Cup (2000m), has all the makings of a thriller as Alharabi teams up with Red Stable’s Boltaway (GB), who scored stylishly last time out in Riyadh under Jimmy Jerkins. The British-bred star faces stiff competition from Mr Trinket (IRE), ridden by Alfouraidi, who was a strong third in the Tuwaiq Cup earlier this season.
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