New in 2020: Saudi Cup promises to be world's richest race

A lucrative addition to the international racing calendar may become a reality next year with members of the racing community receiving invitations Friday to hear details of a new “Saudi Cup” race set for Feb. 29, 2020.

The invitations were sent by Harry Herbert, known for his ventures in bloodstock and racing management, on behalf of Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

Herbert wrote that the Saudi Cup “will be the world’s most valuable” horse race and will run at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. More information will be disclosed Aug. 7.

“Since it will be a dirt race, His Royal Highness thought it most appropriate to announce the details in Saratoga,” Herbert wrote. “The aim is to outline the plans for the race and to talk a little about the history and potential of racing in Saudi Arabia.”

Other iterations of the Saudi Cup have been previously announced without such firm details provided. Most recently, in 2018 what was tabbed as the “King Abdulaziz Horse Championship” promised it would eclipse the Pegasus World Cup’s then-record $16 million purse.

North America’s richest race, Gulfstream Park’s Pegasus ran this year with a $9 million purse, split with a new turf event worth the other $7 million. Meydan’s Dubai World Cup will be worth $12 million in 2020. 

The Saudi Cup could attract some of the world’s best on dirt, including Gronkowski, second in a photo to Thunder Snow in the Dubai World Cup. In June, Tom Ludt, vice president of the global racing operation Phoenix Thoroughbreds, said Gronkowski will bypass the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Classic in favor of gearing up toward the Pegasus

“Supposedly it’s going to happen,” Ludt said at the time. “I think they’ll have to decide in the next few weeks.”

After the Breeders’ Cup, the Pegasus typically runs on the last Saturday of January. The Saudi Cup would slot in between the Pegasus and March 28 Dubai World Cup.

International racing's ties to Saudi Arabia are numerous, including the worldwide racing and breeding operation Juddmonte Farms owned by Prince Khalid bin Abdullah, a member of the royal family.