Az Alkhater claims Al Hada Cup as Taif racing week three concludes

Az Alkhater led the highlights of the third week of the 2026 Taif racing season, clinching the Al Hada Cup at King Khalid Racecourse as the competitions wrapped up on Friday and Saturday.

Prince Salman bin Abdullah bin Salman bin Mohammed, CEO of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, presented the Al Hada Cup to trainer Hamoud Al-Shammari after Az Alkhater won the three-year-old horses’ race, which was run over 1,400 meters with a prize of 150,000 riyals (SAR), finishing in 1:33.64.

The third week featured 22 races, with 11 held each evening, and a total prize pool of 1,475,000 riyals, drawing an enthusiastic crowd who engaged with both the races and accompanying events.

Val Khair, racing under the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s banner, took first place in the Al Shifa Cup trial for open-grade horses, covering 2,000 meters in 2:19.02, finishing one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Mashhoor.

The Taif racing season continues next week at King Khalid Racecourse with more races and events, while entry tickets remain free via booking on the WeBook app.