Best 2026 Saudi Cup Picks

With a prize pool of nearly $40 million, the Saudi Cup is the world's most lucrative horse racing event. Launched in 2020, it is held at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh. This year, the big race is scheduled for February 14th.

The event is split into two categories. The International Jockeys Challenge will kick things off on Friday before the Saudi Cup takes center stage on Saturday. A total of 19 races will occur over the two days in Saudi Arabia.

Ahead of this year's edition, our guide will present the 2026 Saudi Cup picks to consider, along with some tips to bet on them successfully. Our experts have looked at the favourites and outsiders, with odds coming from leading bookmakers.

Brad Thomas Feb 23, 2024

G1 Saudi Cup online betting odds

The table below shows what the G1 Saudi Cup online betting odds look like at this time. You can use the prices as key indicators to find which are the top-valued favourites and the underdogs that can upset the race.

Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Odds
Forever Young	Yoshito Yahagi	R. Sakai	1.80
Nysos	Bob Baffert	Flavien Prat	4.50
Nevada Beach	Bob Baffert	Juan Hernandez	11.00
Bishops Bay	Brad Cox	Junior Alvarado	11.00
Luxor Cafe	Noriyuke Hori	TBD	15.00
Rattle N Roll	Kenny McPeek	Brian Hernandez Jr.	21.00
Tumbarumba	Hamad Al Jehani	TBD	26.00
Sunrise Zipangu	Kyoko Maekawa	TBD	26.00
Banishing	David Jacobson	TBD	34.00
Star Of Wonder	Saad Aljenade	TBD	50.00
Mhally	Abdullah Alsidrani	TBD	50.00
Ameerat Alzamaan	Sam Alharabi	TBD	65.00

Saudi Cup Race Programme

Race	Prize Money	Time
Mneefah Qualifier (Fillies & Mares)	$250,000	04:00 pm
International Jockey’s Challenge R1	$400,000	04:35 pm
International Jockey’s Challenge R2	$400,000	05:10 pm
Al Sarawat Cup	$250,000	05:45 pm
International Jockey’s Challenge R3	$400,000	06:20 pm
International Jockey’s Challenge R4	$400,000	06:55 pm
Tuwaiq Cup	$1 million	07:30 pm
Ministry of Culture Al Mneefah Cup	$1.5 million	08:05 pm

Saudi Cup Saturday race programme

Race	Prize Money	Time
Ministry of Culture Jockey Club Local Handicap	$1.5 million	03:00 pm
G1 Diriyah Gate Development Authority Obaiya Arabian Classic	$2 million	03:40 pm
Saudi International Handicap	$500,000	04:20 pm
Boutique Group Saudi Derby	$1.5 million	05:00 pm
Sports Boulevard Riyadh Dirt Sprint	$2 million	05:40 pm
Saudi National Bank 1351 Turf Sprint	$2 million	06:25 pm
Howden Neom Turf Cup	$3 million	07:10 pm
Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap	$2.5 million	07:50 pm
Saudi Cup	$20 million	08:40 pm

OUR VERDICT

Is Saudi Cup Online Betting Profitable?

Last updated: Jun 16, 2026

With the Saudi Cup being a race worth $20 million, the motivation for entrants is high. You can certainly make a profit from Saudi Cup online betting. The race involves some world-class runners you will likely have heard of. This makes it easy to find up-to-date, relevant information about them.

Bookmakers offer a range of markets for the race. Horse racing fans can, therefore, find value on most betting sites. You can also boost your chances by taking advantage of certain horse racing promos. So, when backing one of our Saudi Cup picks, consider whether you can qualify for a bonus.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Saudi Cup?

The Saudi Cup 2026 will see the seventh edition of the event. Some of the world's leading runners and riders will go head-to-head at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.

How can I bet on the Saudi Cup?

The best online bookies make it easy to bet on the Saudi Cup. You will find various markets, including pre-race and ante post options. Some Saudi Cup betting sites will also feature promotions specific to the race.

Which are the horse racing markets with the highest Saudi Cup odds?

It is important to look at the odds for the Saudi Cup before placing any bets. Betting on the winner of the main race comes with the highest returns. However, you can place each-way bets to boost your chances of winning.

Who are the favourites for the 2026 Saudi Cup?

Defending Forever Young is the clear favourite to win the Saudi Cup. Nysos, Bishops Bay, Nevada Beach, and Luxor Cafe are the headliners that are expected to give the best performances.

How do you choose the best Saudi Cup betting sites?

We have listed our favourite Saudi Cup betting sites on this page. We considered horse racing coverage, odds, promotions, and usability when ranking bookies. So, look at which site best meets your needs.

What is the prize money for the Saudi Cup?

The overall prize money for the Saudi Cup comes in at over $39 million. It is the last race on day two that has the biggest prize fund. The winner will walk away with $10 million, with another $10 million being split between the top 10 finishers.