Saudi Cup favorite Forever Young (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia)
Riyadh Sprint Qualifier for Breeders’ Cup Sprint
Breeders’ Cup Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The world’s richest horse race will serve as a qualifier for the richest race in North America, as the Feb. 22 Saudi Cup (G1) joins the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, offering an automatic berth to the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.
Horses from around the globe will qualify through the Win and You’re In program, now in its 19th year, for the 42nd running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Consisting of 14 Grade 1 races run during a two-day festival worth purses and awards of more than $34 million, the 2025 Breeders’ Cup will be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
The Saudi Cup is in its sixth year at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. With a purse of $20 million, the 1 1/8-mile affair annually attracts top Thoroughbreds from around the globe at the start of the racing calendar, while the Nov. 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic serves as the traditional culmination of the season. Three of the five Saudi Cup winners were also Breeders’ Cup contenders (Midnight Bisou, Mishriff, and Senor Buscador).
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Saudi Cup to start in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Also on the Feb. 22 card, the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) will serve as an automatic qualifier for the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).
“Breeders’ Cup Limited is pleased to expand our international Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series to Saudi Arabia with the addition of the Saudi Cup and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint,” said Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “This expansion underscores our commitment to fostering world-class competition and provides a fantastic opportunity for international horses competing at the highest level. We’re grateful for the collaborative efforts that brought this partnership to fruition and eagerly anticipate crowning our first Breeders’ Cup Challenge winners from King Abdulaziz Racecourse.”
“There is a natural synergy between the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and The Saudi Cup,” said HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khaled AlFaisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia. “We are delighted to be part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and very much appreciate being a member of the Breeders’ Cup global family.
“The winner of the Group 1 The Saudi Cup and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudi National Bank will earn a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, adding an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to our race day.”
Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20, 2025, to receive the rewards.
Forever Young Favored in Saudi Cup
An outstanding international cast of 14 starters and one also-eligible has been entered in the $20 million Saudi Cup. The competition is led by Japanese standout and 8-5 favorite Forever Young (JPN), winner of last year’s Saudi Derby (G3) and third in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Also entered is Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior (IRE), a 10-time Group 1 winner trying the dirt track for the first time. Representing Europe is Facteur Cheval (IRE), who captured last year’s Dubai Turf (G1). Rattle N Roll, a 10-time winner, is the representative from the United States.
In the 6-furlong Riyadh Dirt Sprint, 2024 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and Champion male sprinter Straight No Chaser, favored at 5-4, headlines an 11-horse field.
