King Abdulaziz Racecourse will light up again on Thursday, 23 October 2025 as the Riyadh Racing Season continues with a full twelve-race card under the desert sky. From quick 1,200-metre sprints to testing 2,000-metre contests the programme will mix purely Arabian showdowns with local-bred and imported thoroughbred contests giving punters and trackside fans a little of everything. Expect brisk early pace, tactical riding through the middle of the night and frenetic finishes as horses bid to stamp their credentials for the winter season ahead.
RACE 1: The Arabian (C/G) Maiden Horses
Start Time: 03:55pm
Distance: 1400m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 40,000
Category: NH SH 3YO Colt and Gelding only
The opener will field a big juvenile contingent and will test raw early speed and schooling. A maximum field of 20 declared runners will go to post and the race will pivot on who breaks best and who can sustain a finishing kick. Keep a close eye on AGHEIDIRI, ALMUJATHER, SAQLAWI SULTAN and MAESTRO DU CROATE each will be expected to press the pace or pounce late as connections look for a maiden breakthrough.
RACE 2: The Arabian Fillies Maiden
Start Time: 04:20pm
Distance: 1400m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 40,000
Category: NH SH 3YO Filly
The fillies’ maiden will bring almost two dozen hopefuls to the track, 19 scheduled runners in all and will reward tactical positioning and a smart turn of foot. Trainers will pin their hopes on AL HAKMAH BN, ASAIB KF, REEM BARZAN and NHALK these fillies will be expected to show early promise and could dominate the closing stages if they handle the strip well.
RACE 3: The Fillies Maiden (2YO)
Start Time: 04:50pm
Distance: 1200m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 40,000
Category: NH SH 2YO Filly
A sharp juvenile test over six furlongs will favor precocious speed and a clean gate exit. Thirteen runners will contest this sprint and the race is likely to be decided in the likes of AFWAAJ, BELLE FOR SUL, SHAMS and TOBAH will be expected to produce early pace and sustain their effort to the post.
RACE 4: The Handicap 0–70 (Apprentice Jockeys Hands & Heels Race)
Start Time: 05:15pm
Distance: 1200m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 75,000
Category: NH SH 3YO+ All (0–70)
A competitive handicap will feature 13 starters where weight and race craft will count for plenty. The race will favour a horse with a sharp turn-of-foot and an apprentice jockey who times the run right MOTAMASEK, CUADOR, LA’AJL THATEE and NOTAN will be expected to be in the mix as they chase ranking points and prize money.
RACE 5: The Fillies Who Won (0–1)
Start Time: 05:45pm
Distance: 1400m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 45,000
Category: NH SH 3YO Filly
With eight within-the-money-winning fillies set to line up, this mile sprint will be a tactical affair where proven form will be prized. Connections of HATHARI, LILLY’S BET, MOATAZAH and NAQAADAH will be optimistic these fillies will be expected to press forward and deliver a decisive late effort as they seek a second career victory.
RACE 6: The Local Bred Fillies Who Won (0–1)
Start Time: 06:15pm
Distance: 1400m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 45,000
Category: NH SH 2YO Filly (Local-bred)
This local-bred juvenile contest will bring 16 runners to post and will highlight the depth of the region’s young fillies. Track experience and early maturity will be telling; look for GHOSEINAH, BASMAT ALMUHAMADIH, MADARAT and MOHKAMH to position themselves prominently and make strong late bids for victory.
RACE 7: The Local Bred Who Won (0–2)
Start Time: 06:45pm
Distance: 1800m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 50,000
Category: NH SH 3YO+ Filly and Mare only (0–2 wins)
The staying test over nine furlongs will be a true examination for home-bred fillies and mares. Thirteen starters will contest this middle-distance event and the finish should reward those who conserve energy early. Expect HASNA’A ALAEREDH, TALLAMEAH, MAWAQEET and NASEEM ALNAFEL to feature as they stretch out and seek to dominate in the latter stages.
RACE 8: The Fillies Maiden
Start Time: 07:15pm
Distance: 1600m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 40,000
Category: NH SH 2YO Filly
A mile with seven two-year-old fillies will provide a different test stamina will be judged as much as gate speed. The small field will make for an intriguing tactical puzzle; ALDUHYRA, KAWTHAR, SELMIYA and TEDUOM will be expected to mount the principal challenges as trainers see which juveniles can handle the extra trip.
RACE 9: The Fillies Maiden
Start Time: 07:40pm
Distance: 1600m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 40,000
Category: NH SH 3YO Filly
Fifteen three-year-old fillies will stretch out over a mile and the race will likely be run as a stamina test on the home turn where the closers may have the advantage. Connections will back ALJAZI, HAKIMAH, MANSORAH BALLAH and TORGHEEYA to deliver strong late runs as they vie to break maiden status.
RACE 10: The Local Bred Maiden (3YO Colt, Gelding & Filly)
Start Time: 08:05pm
Distance: 1600m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 40,000
Category: NH SH 3YO Colt, Gelding & Filly
A crowded local-bred mile will send 20 hopefuls to the post and will favour a horse with positional speed and a finishing turn. In a deep lineup, ALBORJWAZEI, ALPHA HEART, HAJAAN and LARS will be expected to be prominent in the market and will be primed to outstay rivals in the final furlong.
RACE 11: The Local Bred Horses Maiden (4YO–5YO)
Start Time: 08:35pm
Distance: 1600m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 40,000
Category: NH SH 4YO to 5YO All
Older local-bred maidens will carry the race into late evening with 20 runners on the card. Experience and a strong gallop will be decisive; ABO ALNASHAISH, ALMOHAQAAN, SANHAN and YABREE will be expected to play leading roles as trainers push for a breakthrough win at four and five years old.
RACE 12: The Horses Who Won
Start Time: 09:00pm
Distance: 1600m (Dirt)
Prize Money: SAR 45,000
Category: NH SH 3YO Colt, Gelding & Filly
The feature closing mile will carry 19 runners after one non-runner was declared the night will end with a competitive field of promising winners and near-winners. In what will be a fast and wide-open finale, ALQIMMAH, EL JABARTEE, MEEGHAT and WHITE CHAPEL ROAD will be expected to be centre-stage as they contest the last crack at the post under the Riyadh lights.
Thursday’s card will deliver narrative after narrative: juveniles stepping up, local-bred hopefuls stretching their legs, and Arabians defending home turf in front of an expectant Riyadh crowd. Trainers and riders will be looking for seasonal momentum while owners chase early-summer bragging rights and the crowd will be rewarded with fast slices of drama all evening.
Next race night is on 24th October, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.com for full previews, live updates and post-race analysis.
