King Abdulaziz Racecourse: Riyadh Racing Season Opens

King Abdulaziz Racecourse opens its new season with competitive fields, returning stakes performers, and a busy weekend for one of Saudi racing’s prominent owners.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (October 15, 2026) — Horse racing returns to King Abdulaziz Racecourse this Friday and Saturday, October 16–17, with Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah expected to play a major role as the 2026–27 Riyadh Racing Season gets underway.

The Kuwaiti owner will be strongly represented across both opening-day programs, with several runners carrying his colors into competitive races against powerful operations, including Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz’s Red Stable and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s White Stable.

The new Riyadh season runs through April 17, 2027, with 50 race days scheduled and the prestigious Saudi Cup weekend set for February 5–6, 2027, highlighted by the $20 million Saudi Cup.

Muqtahem and Transferred Lead Saturday’s Sprint Contenders

Saturday’s opening race, a SAR120,000 Open over 1,200 meters, has attracted a competitive field of 18 runners, including Alsabah’s Muqtahem (IRE) and Transferred (IRE).

Muqtahem returns to a familiar assignment, having won the corresponding race at the beginning of last season. He followed that victory with two additional wins before finishing third behind American challenger Imagination (USA) in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint during Saudi Cup weekend.

Ridden by Muhammad Aldaham, Muqtahem has maintained his competitive form at Taif, where he recorded another victory before finishing third in a conditions race on September 19.

His stablemate Transferred, who finished eighth in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, was second in that same September 19 contest, one position ahead of Muqtahem.

The Red Stable is expected to provide significant opposition through Ancestral Land (GB), Amphius (GB), and Amichi (IRE). Ancestral Land makes his first appearance since finishing eighth in January’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint Qualifier.

Tahzeem Headlines Competitive 2,000-Meter Finale

Saturday’s closing race, another SAR120,000 Open over 2,000 meters, features a maximum field of 20 runners headed by the highly rated Tahzeem (KSA).

Representing the Red Stable and partnered by Ricardo Ferreira, the six-year-old has developed into one of the stable’s leading performers over the past two seasons.

Tahzeem ended his previous campaign in excellent form, winning the domestic Group 3 JCSA Board of Directors Cup before adding the Asian Racing Federation Cup on Saudi Cup night under internationally accomplished jockey Flavien Prat.

The Red Stable will also be represented by Tawee Alsahil (KSA) and Ibn Laboun (KSA).

Meanwhile, the White Stable sends out four runners, including Min Mithlaha (KSA), who returns to competition for the first time since finishing fourth in the opening round of February’s International Jockeys’ Challenge.

Threatening and Mhalhal Strengthen Alsabah’s Saturday Challenge

Alsabah will have further opportunities in Saturday’s ninth race, a SAR90,000 Open over 1,600 meters, where Threatening (IRE) and Mhalhal (USA) provide a strong two-horse challenge.

A British import, Threatening has already registered two victories at Taif and most recently finished third behind Power Of Beauty (IRE) in September’s King Khalid Racecourse Championship.

Stablemate Mhalhal enters the contest seeking a third consecutive victory, adding further depth to the owner’s representation.

The Red Stable counters with three runners, including Riyadh Angel (IRE) and Bernard Shaw (USA), both of whom finished behind Threatening in their most recent appearance.

Friday Offers More Opportunities for Alsabah

Friday’s opening program also presents several promising opportunities for the Kuwaiti owner.

Misaaeel (KSA), the top-rated contender in a SAR120,000 Open for locally bred fillies and mares over 1,400 meters, will be ridden by Muhammad Aldaham.

Alsabah will also be represented by Western City (USA) and Pretty Flag (IRE) in race 10, a SAR120,000 Open over 2,000 meters.

Among their principal rivals is the top-rated Direct Security (IRE), who brings international Group 1 experience into the race.

Direct Security was last seen finishing eighth in the Group 1 Howden Neom Turf Cup and had previously demonstrated his ability by finishing second in the Listed Prince Khalid Abdullah Cup, a qualifying race for the Neom Turf Cup.

A New Chapter Begins on the Road to the Saudi Cup

The return of racing to Riyadh marks the beginning of another important season for Saudi Arabian horse racing, as established local operations and internationally bred competitors build toward the country’s biggest meetings.

With major owners represented throughout the opening weekend and several proven stakes performers returning to action, King Abdulaziz Racecourse is set for two competitive days.

For Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Alsabah, the combination of established performers, recent winners, and promising contenders offers an opportunity to begin the new campaign with a strong showing.

Watch the action live: YouTube Live Stream | DAZN

For more information about the Riyadh Racing Season, visit Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

Source: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA). Adapted for Agentes 305.