Saudi Derby () is an international horse race held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Race details The race was founded by the Saudi Arabia Jockey Club in 2020. It is currently run at 1,600 meters on dirt, only open to three-year-old thoroughbreds, with a prize money of 1.5 million USD.
Currently run as an undercard race on the Saudi Cup Night.
History
2020 – Race was founded under the name "Samba Saudi Derby Cup". 2021 – Race name was changed to "Saudi Derby". 2022 – IFHA promotes the race to international grade 3. 2023 – A locally owned horse wins for the first time (Commissioner King). In 2026 the event became a qualification event for the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Records Speed Record:
1:36.17 – Forever Young (2024)
Most Wins by a Trainer:
2 – Hideyuki Mori (2020, 2021)
Winners YearWinnerFoaledTrainedOwnedJockeyTrainerOwnerTime2020Full FlatYutaka TakeHideyuki MoriTeruo Ono1:37.912021Pink KamehamehaKeita TosakiHideyuki MoriHisako Kimura1:38.572022PinehurstFlavien PratBob BaffertSF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing & Madaket Stables1:38.122023Commissioner KingLuis MoralesSabah AlshammriFaisal Mohammed Alqahtani1:38.822024Forever YoungRyusei SakaiYoshito YahagiSusumu Fujita1:36.172025Golden VekomaConnor BeasleyAhmad Bin HarmashMohammed Al Suboosi1:38.1852026Al HaramRicardo FerreiraAbdullah AlsidraniSheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah1:38.45
Record Time: 1:36.17 – Forever Young
See also Horses in Saudi Arabia
References
Racing Post: , , , , , ,