Latest news with #Muqtahem
New Paper
30-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Get ready for more Saudi racing
TAIF Saudi Arabia racing is back from a four-month break, with Singapore Pools offering wagering on the new season from Aug 1. Racing in the Middle East kingdom returned on July 26 with the Taif summer racing season getting under way with 20 race days over Friday and Saturday at King Khalid Racecourse. Situated at an altitude of 1,900m in the western mountains of Saudi Arabia, the picturesque Taif boasts a cooler climate all year round, making it the summer holiday destination of choice for many Saudis as well as the perfect location to host the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia's (JCSA) summer racing programme. The season then moves on to Riyadh and its crown jewel, the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, for its winter season from October to March, highlighted by the world's richest race, the US$20 million (S$25.8 million) Group 1 Saudi Cup (1,800m), slated to be run in 2026 on Feb 14. Top quality horses have already featured at Taif's opening meetings on July 25 and 26, including a number last seen flying the Saudi flag on Saudi Cup weekend. Among others, Muqtahem, who ran a super second to top US sprinter Straight No Chaser in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1,200m) on Saudi Cup day on Feb 22, scored an easy win for top Saudi handler Thamer Aldaihani in the Open race over 1,200m, the highlight of the Taif Flower Festival Cup Prep meeting on July 26. Over the coming weeks, there will be 160 opportunities for thoroughbreds and 40 for Purebred Arabians and a schedule packed full of compelling action from 29 Championship Cups. Highlights of the season include September's Group 3 King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Cup (1,600m) and the Listed Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup (2,000m), both carrying a purse of 1 million riyals (S$343,0000) and open to Purebred Arabians. The top thoroughbred ranks from two-year-olds to older horses will be campaigned towards the Taif Cups series as well as the Okaz Cup (2,000m) for older horses, carrying a purse of 700,000 riyals and the 500,000 riyals National Day Cup (2,400m). The best juvenile contenders will work their way towards the JCSA's three-year-old programme in Riyadh, which culminates this season on Saudi Cup weekend. Another contest that will spice up the Taif season is the jockeys' premiership, held under the patronage of His Highness Prince Abdullah bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz. The jockey chalking up the highest points will be crowned champion at the end of the season on Sept 27. JCSA
Arab News
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Racing returns to King Khalid Racecourse in Taif
TAIF: Racing returns to Saudi Arabia this week with race days on Friday and Saturday as the Taif Summer Racing Season gets underway at King Khalid Racecourse. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Top quality horses have been declared, including Muqtahem and Honky Tonk Man, and the competitors include a number last seen flying the Saudi flag on Saudi Cup weekend. The JCSA Almaseef Cup takes center stage on Friday and 24 hours later the Taif Flower Festival Cup Prep meeting is held. Over the coming weeks there will be 160 opportunities for Thoroughbreds and 40 for Purebred Arabians and a schedule packed full of compelling action from 29 Championship Cups. Highlights of the season include September's Group 3 King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Cup and the Listed Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup, both carrying a purse of SR1 million and open to Purebred Arabians. The top Thoroughbred ranks, from 2-year-olds to older horses, will be campaigned toward the Taif Cups series as well as the Okaz Cup for older horses, carrying a purse of SR700,000, and the SR500,000 National Day Cup. The very best juvenile contenders will work their way toward the JCSA's 3-year-old program in Riyadh, which culminates this season on Saudi Cup weekend. Saturday sees the 1,200-meter open featuring Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint runner-up Muqtahem, trained by top Saudi handler Thamer Aldaihani, take on Honky Tonk Man, now under the care of Hadi Gharawi. Honky Tonk Man was the winner of a leg of the International Jockeys' Challenge on the Friday of the Saudi Cup weekend. Aeadat (KSA), another prolific winner and a daughter of Premium Tap, makes her return for trainer Ahmed Mohamoud in the Um Alqura Cup Prep as she bids to score for the eighth consecutive time. She goes up against Istita'aeh (KSA) and Aldaihani's Pretty Flag from Ireland, winner of the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Cup.
