King Abdulaziz Racecourse throws open its doors today, 5th December, for the biggest meeting of the season, featuring four high-stakes races worth SAR1,000,000, headlined by the Listed Crown Prince Cup. Excitement is palpable as trainers share last-minute advice, jockeys ready their mounts, and the crowd buzzes in anticipation. The Saudi Arabia race cards 5 December promise thrilling competition, local pride, and the first taste of turf action ahead of Saudi Arabia’s first international Group 1 next February.
The spotlight shines on Argentine import Intense For Me (ARG), aiming to build on his comeback fourth in October over 2000m. Winner of the G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini at home, the four-year-old tackles the extended 2400m with hopes of proving his class after a less-than-ideal Saudi Cup debut in February. Trainers and racing fans alike are keen to see if the longer distance brings out his best.
Local stars add further intrigue. Wootton’sun (FR), last year’s Crown Prince Cup champion, returns after an impressive 2000m comeback under Ricardo Ferreira for Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz’s Red Stable. He is joined by Jack Red Cloud (IRE) and three other Red Stable runners, while the White Stable of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz & Sons fields four strong contenders. Together, they promise a strategic and fiercely competitive 2025 domestic Group 1 renewal.
Alongside the headline race, Friday’s meeting includes two juvenile events, each with a SAR1,000,000 purse. The HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Cup over 1600m and the Princess Setah Bint Fahad Aldamer Cup for fillies offer early-season excitement. Laha Alhaybah (KSA), partnered with Murphy, is the fillies’ standout, while Taqaarir (KSA) leads the White Stable challenge after her September Taif Cup triumph. In the colts’ division, Raei Althaminah (KSA) and Bono (KSA) headline proceedings, with the unexposed Reda Al Aziz (KSA) adding further intrigue.
Saturday continues the high-quality action under the GCC Horse Owners Cups, featuring SAR750,000 in four races. Juveniles, older fillies and colts/geldings, and Purebred Arabian Horses all take centre stage. Key contenders include Baseqm And Bake (USA), Jade De Faust (FR), Defunded (USA), Final Destination (GB), The King’s General (IRE), Waqtuk (USA), Uncle (GB), and Zefzaf (USA), highlighting both local and international talent.
Friday also marks the return of turf racing with the 1600m Handicap Sponsored by Kinza and the 2100m Handicap Sponsored by Saudia, the first turf contests of the season and an opportunity for horses to adapt ahead of next year’s international events. With a crowd ready to cheer every gallop and jockeys prepared for high-stakes tactics, the atmosphere is set to be electric.
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