The global racing calendar reaches its most lucrative and prestigious stop this weekend at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. Fans from every major racing jurisdiction eagerly anticipate the 2026 Saudi Cup, which once again headlines a blockbuster international program on Saturday, February 14, 2026. This Group 1 spectacle, contested over 1 1/8 miles on dirt, anchors a festival that has rapidly become one of the defining nights in world racing.
With a $20 million purse on the line, the Saudi Cup is not merely another championship event; it is the richest race on the planet. The official post time for the Saudi Cup is scheduled for approximately 12:40 p.m. ET. Major online racebook platforms will provide high-definition international streaming for active account holders, ensuring global access to the action.
Meteorological reports for Riyadh on race day suggest a mild desert evening, with temperatures expected to hover around 68 degrees Fahrenheit after sunset. Unlike many American winter tracks, humidity is rarely a factor in Saudi Arabia, but wind conditions can subtly influence how the dirt surface plays. The forecast currently calls for clear skies and light breezes, creating what should be a “Fast” racing surface.
Handicappers must still pay attention to track maintenance patterns, as the Riyadh dirt has historically favored tactical speed, particularly horses who can secure position before the first turn. Deep closers can win here, but they often require a contested early pace to set up their late charge. The long stretch at King Abdulaziz provides opportunity, yet the configuration places a premium on horses who can sustain momentum rather than produce a single explosive burst.
Saudi Cup night rivals any major racing festival in the world in terms of wagering depth and international star power. The undercard typically features elite turf sprinters, top-class milers, and championship-caliber dirt performers from Japan, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. For bettors, the horizontal sequences such as the Late Pick 4 and Pick 5 often generate massive global pools.
With large, competitive fields and worldwide interest, exotic payouts regularly climb into six-figure territory. Serious players should analyze the entire program rather than focusing exclusively on the main event. Understanding how the track is playing earlier in the evening can provide crucial insight when betting on the Saudi Cup itself.
Since its inauguration, the Saudi Cup has quickly established itself as a race that defines international champions. Saudi Cup Winners have often gone on to shape Eclipse Award debates, Dubai World Cup campaigns, and global rankings. The combination of American dirt power, Japanese precision, and European stamina has created a fascinating tactical blend unique to this event. Unlike traditional Derby preps, there are no qualifying points at stake here. Instead, there is legacy. When you look at the Saudi Cup odds, you are evaluating more than a single performance; you are handicapping the intersection of continents and racing philosophies.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Forever Young | Ryusei Sakai | Yoshito Yahagi | 1:49.09 |
| 2024 | Senor Buscador | Junior Alvarado | Todd W. Fincher | 1:49.50 |
| 2023 | Panthalassa | Yutaka Yoshida | Yoshito Yahagi | 1:50.79 |
| 2022 | Emblem Road | Wigberto Ramos | Mitab Almulawah | 1:50.52 |
| 2021 | Mishriff | David Egan | John Gosden | 1:49.59 |
| 2020 | Midnight Bisou | Mike E. Smith | Steven M. Asmussen | 1:50.58 |
The 2026 edition presents one of the most diverse and tactically complex lineups in the race’s brief history. Proven American Grade 1 talent squares off against battle-tested Japanese stars and ambitious international challengers. Running styles vary dramatically, from confirmed front-runners to patient stalkers and deep closers. The 1 1/8 miles distance demands both early positioning and sustained stamina, making pace projection absolutely critical. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of each contender to help refine your Saudi Cup betting strategy.
Sunrise Zipangu enters as a longshot for trainer Kyoko Maekawa, with Oisin Murphy taking the call. At 35-1, he will need significant improvement to contend with this elite field. His recent form suggests flashes of ability, but he must prove he can withstand the relentless pressure typical of this race’s opening half-mile. Expect Murphy to secure mid-pack positioning and hope for pace collapse up front.
Haqeet represents the Hamad Aljehani stable, with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. Listed at 60-1, he faces a monumental class test. His connections are capable, but this is a dramatic step up against world-class opposition. If he factors at all, it will likely come from a ground-saving trip and a perfectly timed move along the inside.
Trained by David Jacobson and ridden by Adel Alfouraidi, Banishing is priced at 30-1. He brings tactical speed and could attempt to secure a forward position early. The question is whether he can maintain that tempo against superior rivals. If he is allowed to dictate moderate fractions, he becomes more interesting than the odds initially suggest.
Ryan Moore partners with Ameerat Alzamaan for trainer Sami Alharabi. Despite Moore’s world-class credentials, the 60-1 price reflects the steep challenge ahead. This runner would benefit from a strongly contested pace and clear outside running room turning for home.
Camilo Ospina rides Star of Wonder for Saad Aljenade. At 35-1, he profiles as a mid-tier outsider with enough raw talent to threaten the bottom of exotic wagers. His consistency makes him a candidate for trifecta and superfecta tickets, particularly if favorites falter.
The likely favorite, Forever Young, arrives with Ryusei Sakai aboard for trainer Yoshito Yahagi. Listed at 7-5, he commands immense respect. His prior international performances have demonstrated versatility, stamina, and an ability to accelerate off strong fractions. Forever Young possesses tactical adaptability, allowing Sakai to adjust based on pace dynamics. He will almost certainly be the primary target for every other rider in the field.
Nevada Beach, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., sits prominently in the market at 5-1. Baffert’s reputation in major dirt races needs no introduction. Nevada Beach projects as a pace factor, capable of applying early pressure or even seizing the lead outright. If he secures a comfortable rhythm through the opening stages, he becomes a major threat to the favorite.
James Doyle rides Tumburumba for Hamad Aljehani. At 15-1, he occupies an intriguing middle ground. He has shown flashes of high-level ability and could capitalize if the early leaders soften each other up. His closing style may benefit from a contested tempo.
Brad Cox sends out Bishops Bay with Junior Alvarado in the irons. At 6-1, he represents serious value among the American contingent. Cox excels at targeting lucrative international events, and Bishops Bay’s stalking style fits the Riyadh configuration perfectly. If he sits just behind Nevada Beach and launches at the right moment, he can absolutely win.
Luxor Cafe, ridden by Joao Moreira for Noriyuki Hori, brings Japanese depth to the field at 15-1. Moreira’s tactical awareness will be critical, as Luxor Cafe must avoid traffic while conserving energy for the stretch run. He is not the headline act from Japan, but he cannot be dismissed.
Joel Rosario partners with Rattle N Roll for trainer Kenny McPeek. At 40-1, he enters as a deep outsider. However, McPeek has a history of maximizing big-stage performances. If pace pressure intensifies early, Rattle N Roll’s grinding late kick could pick up tired rivals late.
Nysos, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Flavien Prat, stands at 4-1 and looms as one of the most dangerous challengers to Forever Young. His raw speed figures demand respect, and Baffert’s ability to ship horses internationally has improved in recent seasons. Nysos can either press the pace or sit just off it, giving Prat multiple tactical options.
Ricardo Ferreira rides Mhally for Abdullah Alisdrani. Priced at 40-1, he faces a steep uphill climb. He will likely attempt to secure a stalking trip and hope for chaos ahead.
Danny Tudhope teams up with Muteb Almulawah’s Thundersquall at 60-1. He is among the longest shots on the board and must demonstrate dramatic improvement to contend with this elite lineup.
The early pace should be honest, with Nevada Beach and Banishing likely to assert themselves through the opening stages. Nysos will not be far behind, ensuring that the tempo remains legitimate. Forever Young’s rider will likely allow the pace picture to develop before making a decisive move approaching the far turn. The key question is whether the early leaders can maintain stamina through the demanding final furlong. If they weaken, the favorite’s versatility gives him the advantage. If the pace becomes overly aggressive, closers such as Tumburumba or Bishops Bay could capitalize.
Saudi Cup betting requires balancing class with price. Forever Young deserves favoritism, but short odds in a 14-horse international field always carry risk. Exacta combinations pairing Forever Young with Nysos or Nevada Beach provide logical structure. For those seeking greater value, Bishops Bay at 6-1 offers an appealing alternative, especially given Brad Cox’s targeted approach to major purses. Always monitor late wagering activity, as international money can significantly alter the final Saudi Cup odds in the minutes before post time.
The 2026 Saudi Cup is more than a race; it is a global championship on dirt, where reputations are built and multimillion-dollar dreams are realized under the lights of Riyadh. Whether you side with the favorite Forever Young, the Baffert-trained duo, or a price horse like Bishops Bay, this event promises tactical drama from gate to wire. On Saturday night, the richest purse in racing will be decided in under two minutes, and the result will reverberate across the international racing landscape for months to come.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
