Taif, June 2026

The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of the Taif Racing Season 2026 at King Khalid Racecourse from 24 July, in a packed program running for 10 consecutive weeks with 220 races and total prize money exceeding SAR 22 million, one of the Kingdom's leading summer sporting and equestrian events.

The Taif season is a key fixture in the Saudi horse racing calendar, bringing together the finest horses, owners and trainers from across the Kingdom in a competitive atmosphere that continues until 26 September 2026.

220 Races Over Ten Weeks

The season features a variety of races on the dirt track at King Khalid Racecourse, with thoroughbreds and purebred Arabians competing in a series of graded championships and cups that attract the best local horses.

The season marks the official start of the Jockey Club's competitions before racing moves to the Riyadh season and on to the most important date on the calendar, the Saudi Cup 2027.

Major Cups and Million-Riyal Prizes

Competition peaks in the penultimate week of the season with the King Faisal Cup (Group 3) for purebred Arabians over 1,600 meters, with prize money of SAR 1 million.

The program also features the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup, a Listed race for purebred Arabians with prize money of SAR 1 million, one of the season's highlights.

Taif Derby and Sprint Cup

The fifth week of the season hosts the Taif Derby for thoroughbreds and the Taif Derby for purebred Arabians, each with total prize money of SAR 350,000.

The Taif Sprint Cup takes place on 5 September with prize money of SAR 350,000, with strong competition expected among the leading horses.

Taif Cups and National Day

The series of four Taif Cups for thoroughbreds begins on 18 September, along with the Okaz Cup for imported horses over 2,000 meters with prize money of up to SAR 600,000.

The following day the racecourse hosts the National Day Cup for thoroughbreds over 2,400 meters, with prize money of SAR 450,000 and the finest long-distance horses taking part.

A Season Finale with More Races

The Taif Season 2026 closes with the King Khalid Racecourse championships, with an additional race added to each meeting to bring the number of races to 11 a day, raising the level of competition and excitement to the end of the season.

Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, board member and chairman of the technical committees at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said the Taif program marks the true start of the new racing season, adding that Taif continues to cement its standing as a leading destination for equestrian fans and summer racing in the Kingdom.

At a Glance

  • Venue: King Khalid Racecourse, Taif
  • Opening: 24 July 2026
  • Closing: 26 September 2026
  • Races: 220
  • Total prize money: more than SAR 22 million
  • Headline races: King Faisal Cup, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup, Taif Derby, Okaz Cup, National Day Cup
  • Categories: purebred Arabians and thoroughbreds