The world’s richest horse race, the Saudi Cup is due to be held on 29th February 2020 in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The main event has a total prize money of a whopping $20 million, making it the richest race in the world. A staggering amount of $10 million will be ofered to the team behind the winning horse while the second place winning team will be awarded $3.5 million.
With this massive sum, the race will surpass the Dubai Cup in terms of prize money, which offered a purse money of $12 million in 2019.
About 10,000 spectators, along with the big names in racing, are expected to watch the race at the King Abdulaziz Race Course in Riyadh. The main race will run over an 1,800 meter dirt track with a maximum field of 14.
Further, the Cup includes seven more races on dirt and turf, with a prize money of $9.2 million.
Organizers of the event have said that they are keen on female jockeys participating in the race despite the fact that the kingdom is known for discrimination against women.
HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, the chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said the event was “without doubt the most significant event in the history of horse racing in Saudi Arabia” and showed the country’s “ambition to become a leading player” in the sport.
Despite all the hype associated with the race and its astounding prize money, human rights activists and groups have raised concerns that the Kingdom is hosting a slew of sporting events to deflect attention from the human rights concerns.
Will the race live upto all the extravagant publicity and promotion? Only time will tell.
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