Riyadh will step into the spotlight on Friday, December 26, as King Abdulaziz Racecourse hosts Royal Cups Race Night, one of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia’s most prestigious Friday Night Under the Lights fixtures. Meeting 52 promises an evening where ambition, heritage, and elite competition converge, with rich purses and royal titles shaping a card that builds steadily toward a powerful climax.
The night’s defining moment will arrive at 07:55pm with Race 10, the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Cup (Domestic Group 1), a 1600-metre contest for two-year-old colts and geldings carrying a commanding SAR 800,000 prize fund. As the feature race of the evening, it will crown the most exciting young talent on the domestic stage and stand as the ultimate test of class, composure, and future promise.
The action will begin earlier with a strong competitive base that sets the tone. Race 1, the Handicap 0–95 sponsored by Kinza, will open the proceedings over 1200 metres at 3:20 pm, offering SAR 100,000 and an early sprint to ignite the night. Momentum will continue in Race 2, a Local Bred Handicap 0–70 sponsored by Nova, where Saudi-bred runners will chase SAR 75,000 over the same distance at 3:45 pm.
Depth and stamina will come into play in Race 3, the Handicap 0–95 sponsored by Saudia, run over 2100 metres at 4:10 pm for SAR 100,000, before attention will shift to youth and potential in Race 4, a Maiden sponsored by LUCID for two-year-old colts, geldings, and fillies over 1400 metres at 2:30 pm, carrying SAR 40,000.
As daylight fades and the floodlights take full command, the middle section of the card will raise the tempo. Race 5, a Handicap 0–95 sponsored by ZOOD Realty, stretches runners over a demanding 3000 metres at 5:05 pm for SAR 100,000, testing endurance and tactical patience. That will be followed by Race 6, an Arabian Horses contest for winners of 0–1 sponsored by SHG, where three-year-old colts, geldings, and fillies will clash over 1400 metres at 5:35 pm for SAR 45,000, adding regional pride to the programme.
Royal prestige will begin to dominate from Race 7, the Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz Cup (Domestic Group 2) at 6:10 pm. Run over 1600 metres for three-year-olds, this SAR 700,000 feature signals a clear step into elite company. The quality will deepen further in Race 8, the Prince Badr Bin Abdulaziz Cup (Domestic Group 2), a 1800-metre test for fillies and mares at 6:45 pm, offering SAR 500,000 and showcasing strength among the female division.
The build-up will intensify in Race 9, the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Cup (Domestic Group 2), where fillies and mares will step up to 2000 metres at 7:20 pm for another substantial SAR 700,000, setting the stage perfectly for the night’s crown jewel.
The centrepiece of the card – Race 10, the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Cup (Domestic Group 1) will arrive at 7:55 pm. Over 1600 metres, the brightest two-year-old colts and geldings will battle for supremacy, prestige, and a future-defining victory in a race that is expected to shine brightest under the Riyadh lights.
Contenders: Abo Saeed, Aez Alkhatir, Agdarhom, Yarobhom, Thayaf, Reda Al Aziz, Raei Althaminah, Oslo along with a few more.
The evening will conclude with two developmental contests that maintain intensity to the very end. Race 11, a Fillies who won 0–2 sponsored by J Event, runs at 8:30 pm over 1600 metres for SAR 50,000, followed by the finale – Race 12, an Arabian Horses race for winners of 0–2, contested by four-year-olds and older at 9:00 pm, also over 1600 metres with SAR 50,000 on offer.
Royal Cups Race Night is set to be more than just another fixture on the calendar. In Riyadh, on December 26, King Abdulaziz Racecourse will host an evening where prize money meets prestige, young stars meet expectation, and the energy rises race by race toward a truly royal conclusion under the lights.
Follow all the excitement from Saudi Arabia Racecards 26 December as young stars battle for glory. For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.