RIYADH: Runners in The Saudi Derby will now be eligible to collect points for the Kentucky Derby in an exciting new link announced recently by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and Churchill Downs Inc.
The 1,600-meter Group Three event on The Saudi Cup undercard has been added to a worldwide series of events known as “The Road to The Kentucky Derby.”
It will make it easier for Saudi Arabian owners to have runners in one of the most prestigious horseraces in the world — attended yearly by over 100,000 people.
The $1.5-million Saudi derby will be staged at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Feb. 14.
It will have a maximum of 30 points available to the winner to try and qualify for the Group 1 Kentucky Derby — also known as “Run for the Roses” — at historic Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2.
Two other races, the UAE 2000 Guineas and the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes (formerly the Al-Bastakiya) at Meydan Racecourse, have also been added as races with qualifying points for the European/Middle East road to the Kentucky Derby.
The series now consists of 10 races and has up to two invitations for the Kentucky Derby, with further points issued behind the winner of each leg down to fifth place.
First staged in 2020, The Saudi Derby has become a quality international race with Japanese challenger Forever Young (JPN) winning in 2024 before narrowly missing out and finishing third in a thrilling 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said the addition “is an important step forward for Saudi racing.”
He added: “This announcement also marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership between the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and Churchill Downs Inc. which holds the promise of more collaboration in the future.”
He thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their “vision and wise leadership.”
Prince Bandar added: “Saudi Arabian racing has been in a position to make important advancements on the international stage since the inauguration of The Saudi Cup in 2020.
“This latest development further strengthens the depth of appeal of The Saudi Cup weekend and sees The Saudi Derby form part of a series of prestigious races with those in the UAE that further complement the important Middle East swing of winter racing.”
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., added: “We are thrilled to partner with Saudi Arabia and to add The Saudi Derby as a key international qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
“The Kentucky Derby is known throughout the world as the ‘Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,’ and this partnership builds on all that Saudi Arabia has accomplished developing its thoroughbred racing program to connect the Saudi fans and horse racing community to America’s most prestigious race.”
