Taif racing season 2026 opens with strong competition

Taif Governor Fawaz bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Equestrian Authority and Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Khalid bin Faisal, and the club's CEO Salman bin Abdullah bin Salman attended the launch of the 2026 Taif racing season at King Khalid Equestrian Square in Al-Hawiyah, amid a large turnout of local residents, visitors, and horse racing fans.

The first week featured fierce competition, with prize money totaling around 1.5 million riyals (SAR), and showcased the high caliber of the participating horses, alongside well-organized accompanying events.

In the preparatory races, the horse "Falah Zain" won the Shubra Cup over 1,200 meters, claiming the 120,000 riyal prize with a time of 1:18.37 minutes. "Toofan Najd" secured the Al-Hada Cup over 1,400 meters, also earning 120,000 riyals with a time of 1:33.34 minutes.

For the Al-Musayyaf Cup, open to all grades over 1,600 meters with a 120,000 riyal prize, "Hafithak Allah" took first place in 1:47.56 minutes. The mare "Al-Khansa" won the Umm Al-Qura University Cup for mares over the same distance, finishing in 1:44.98 minutes.

The preparatory races concluded with the Taif Rose Festival Cup, dedicated to three-year-old horses over 1,600 meters with a 120,000 riyal prize, where "Yuribuhum" claimed victory in 1:48.53 minutes. The mare "Gharami" won the race sponsored by Tuwaiq Cooperative for Exhibitions and Conferences.

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia invited Taif residents and visitors to attend the second week of competitions and enjoy the accompanying events, hospitality areas, restaurants, and entertainment activities, noting that entry is free via the "WeBook" app.