High-quality runners and riders descend on Riyadh for second Saudi Cup meeting

A host of top-class runners have descended on Riyadh from all over the globe to compete for unprecedented riches at the two-day Saudi Cup meeting, which begins with a jockeys' challenge on Friday.

The origins of the event, headlined by the $20 million Saudi Cup – the world's richest race – lay in 'Saudi Vision 2030', a blueprint for the country to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil.

Tourism is central to this and some view Saudi Arabia's decision to host high-profile sporting events as an attempt to open its doors to the world, while critics have questioned the motives behind them.

It was against this backdrop that the inaugural event was staged last year but the picture soon became more complicated due to coronavirus, which was in the early stages of its global spread and very nearly prevented some of the sport's biggest jockeys from attending.

A last-minute royal decree allayed those fears and attentions turned to the international jockeys' challenge, during which Lisa Allpress became the first female jockey to win a race in Saudi Arabia.

Lisa Allpress became the first female jockey to win a race in Saudi Arabia last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

The competition has once again attracted a diverse group of riders, including William Buick and Hollie Doyle, who is set to become the first female rider in the Saudi Cup on Saturday aboard Extra Elusive.

It was initially won last year by Mike Smith but he was stripped of his victory after one of his locally trained mounts tested positive for cobalt and was demoted to third, handing victory to top Swedish female jockey Sibylle Vogt.

Smith's bad luck did not end there as he was fined around $250,000 – 60 per cent of his riding share – for misusing the whip on runner-up Midnight Bisou in the Saudi Cup.

The jockey returns, however, and partners this season's favourite, the Bob Baffert-trained Charlatan, who is set for a spectacular clash with Pegasus winner Knicks Go and the John Gosden-trained Mishriff.

Saturday's Saudi Cup raceday declarations

Last year's race attracted a similarly stellar cast and was won by Maximum Security but it was marred by controversy as less than two weeks after the event, winning trainer Jason Servis was charged with being involved in an alleged widespread doping scheme.

Maximum Security was mentioned in the conspiracy and Saudi Cup officials quickly decided not to distribute the winner's substantial prize-money until their own ongoing investigations have concluded.

Despite the turbulence of last year, the meeting has once again been well supported and has attracted global interest, with Saturday's Saudi Cup set to be available in approximately 140 territories.

The world's richest race made headlines last year for a variety of reasons and organisers will hope the drama is limited to the track as Saudi Arabia continues its quest to become a major racing nation.

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