In a move that underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the international racing stage, The Saudi Derby will now award qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, one of the world’s most prestigious horse races. The announcement, made jointly by The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) and Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI), marks a major step in connecting Middle Eastern racing with America’s most iconic event.
The 1600m Group 3 Saudi Derby, held annually at the glittering King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, will now serve as a qualifying leg on The Road to the Kentucky Derby. With USD 1.5 million in prize money and a maximum of 30 points on offer to the winner, the race offers Saudi owners a direct path to the historic dirt track of Churchill Downs — a dream stage that hosts over 100,000 spectators each May.
Expanding the Global Racing Map
The move brings The Saudi Derby into an exclusive lineup of ten qualifying races under the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby banner. Two additional races — the UAE 2000 Guineas and the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes (formerly the Al Bastakiya) — have also joined the series, further enriching the Middle Eastern racing calendar.
Points will be awarded to the top five finishers in each leg, with up to two coveted invitations to compete in the Kentucky Derby on offer. The addition of The Saudi Derby strengthens the region’s standing as a vital hub in the international thoroughbred circuit, linking Riyadh and Dubai with the global road to Louisville.
A Race of Rising Prestige
Since its inaugural running in 2020, The Saudi Derby has evolved into a high-calibre global contest. Its most memorable moment came in 2024 when Japanese sensation Forever Young (JPN) captured the race before finishing a close third in the 150th Kentucky Derby — a performance that confirmed Saudi Arabia’s ability to host world-class contenders.
His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of the JCSA, hailed the development as “an important step forward for Saudi racing.” He noted that the partnership with Churchill Downs “offers local owners the chance to earn points for their horses to compete on one of the grandest stages in global racing.”
Prince Bandar also emphasized the vision and leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, crediting them for positioning Saudi Arabian racing as a key player since the inauguration of The Saudi Cup in 2020.
A Transatlantic Racing Partnership
CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen echoed the enthusiasm, calling the collaboration “a thrilling opportunity to connect the Saudi racing community to America’s most prestigious race.” He added that the Kentucky Derby’s reputation as “the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to build a racing program that inspires on a global scale.
This partnership, both officials noted, is expected to be the foundation for future collaboration between Saudi and American racing bodies — a promising stride for the sport’s international unity.
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