Agordino (JPN) claimed the G3 Saudi Royal Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Saturday, October 10, 2026, winning the 1,600-metre contest for two-year-old colts. The race also brought renewed attention to the longstanding relationship between Japan and Saudi Arabia, with senior officials from both countries attending the event and highlighting opportunities for closer cooperation in horse racing.
The occasion was attended by HRH Prince Salman bin Abdullah bin Salman bin Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, alongside His Excellency Dr Ghazi bin Zagr, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Japan, and Masayoshi Yoshida, President of the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Distinguished guests and representatives of the international horse racing industry also attended the meeting.
Agordino’s victory delivered success for the winning connections, Dearest Club Co Ltd. HRH Prince Salman bin Abdullah presented the trophy to representatives of the winning ownership, while the Saudi Ambassador honoured trainer Eiji Nakadate and jockey Kazuo Yokoyama following their achievement in the Group 3 contest.
Saudi Royal Cup Highlights Strong Racing Partnership
Speaking after the presentation, HRH Prince Salman bin Abdullah welcomed the opportunity to attend the Saudi Royal Cup and present the trophy. He highlighted the race’s longstanding position in the Japanese racing calendar and its continuing contribution to sporting relations between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
His Royal Highness said the event continued to support the strategic and historic bilateral relationship between the two countries. He also emphasised the value of exchanging knowledge and expertise in equestrian sport and horse racing, describing the partnership as a successful example of international cooperation.
The attendance of senior representatives from the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and the Japan Racing Association underlined the importance both countries placed on maintaining close professional ties. The gathering recognised Agordino’s achievement while providing a platform for further engagement between the two racing communities.
Saudi Arabia Extends Invitation for Japan Cup in Riyadh
HRH Prince Salman bin Abdullah also invited representatives from Japan and the Japan Racing Association to visit Riyadh on January 22, 2027, to attend the Japan Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
The invitation aimed to build on the established relationship between the two countries and encourage further exchanges in horse racing. The planned visit would provide an opportunity for officials to share expertise, strengthen professional relationships and explore ways to develop cooperation across the sport.
The proposed gathering also reflected Saudi Arabia’s commitment to international engagement through major racing events. Continued interaction between the two racing authorities would support the exchange of experience and help maintain the longstanding connections between their respective horse racing industries.
Saudi Royal Cup Retains Its Place in Japan’s Racing Calendar
The Saudi Royal Cup had been contested under its current title since 2015, although the race’s history in Japanese racing extended further back. Its continued presence on the national calendar reflected the enduring sporting relationship between Saudi Arabia and Japan.
The 2026 edition combined a Group 3 contest for two-year-old colts over 1,600 metres with a gathering of senior officials from both countries. Agordino’s victory formed the centrepiece of the racing programme, while the trophy presentation and diplomatic engagement reinforced the event’s wider significance.
The occasion demonstrated how established racing fixtures could support international relationships beyond competition itself. With Japanese representatives invited to attend the Japan Cup in Riyadh in January 2027, the event also looked ahead to further cooperation between the two racing communities.
Agordino won the G3 Saudi Royal Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on October 10, 2026, representing Dearest Club Co Ltd, with jockey Kazuo Yokoyama and trainer Eiji Nakadate recognised following the victory. The event also reinforced the racing partnership between Japan and Saudi Arabia, with a further gathering planned in Riyadh for January 2027.
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