Qiddiya Investment Company has announced plans for a landmark horse racing venue in Qiddiya City, celebrating Saudi Arabia's deep-rooted equestrian heritage while advancing the future of horse racing in the Kingdom.
Designed as a new national destination for sport, culture, and entertainment, the venue reflects Saudi Arabia's long-standing relationship with horses alongside continued investment in world-class sporting infrastructure. The venue will become the new permanent home of the prestigious Group 1 USD 20 million Saudi Cup, the world's richest horse race, which is being staged for the seventh time on Saturday 14 February at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, prior to its relocation to Qiddiya City.
Commenting on the announcement, Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, said, "This venue reflects Qiddiya Investment Company's ambition to set new global benchmarks. Every element, from racing performance and equine welfare to hospitality and fan engagement, has been designed to meet the expectations of the world's leading racing jurisdictions. In line with our wider vision for Qiddiya City, this state-of-the-art venue is designed to be fully accessible, pioneering a new chapter in spectator engagement and experiences."
At its core will be a distinctive and flexible racing configuration, designed to support a broad range of international race formats, delivering high-performance conditions for equine athletes while enhancing visibility, engagement, and clarity for spectators. The venue will feature the region's first straight-mile turf course, complemented by a two-track racing system comprising a 2,200-metre main turf track and a 2,400-metre inner dirt track, uniting elite competition within a single integrated racing environment.
A 21,000-seat grandstand will anchor the venue, with the ability to expand capacity to up to 70,000 guests through event overlays during major international race days. A 180-metre parade ring will bring horses and riders closer to spectators, offering an immersive and educational experience that highlights the precision, tradition, and spectacle of the sport.
Equine welfare is a defining principle of the Horse Racing Venue. A world-class Equine Hospital will provide advanced veterinary services, including diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, and emergency care, supporting the highest standards of horse welfare across racing operations.
Beyond race days, the Horse Racing Venue is designed to operate as a year-round destination, featuring nine fine-dining restaurants curated by Michelin-star chefs, premium hospitality offerings, and social spaces that extend the experience beyond the track. The venue will also host the Turf Racing Festival, further strengthening its position as a global stage for elite racing and cultural showcase.
Qiddiya City's Horse Racing Venue's inaugural programme of racing, cultural, and showcase events will attract international participants, industry leaders, and audiences from around the world, setting a new global benchmark for equestrianism.
As part of strengthening alignment and coordination within the horse racing ecosystem, Qiddiya Investment Company and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the Asian Racing Conference. The agreement will focus on collaboration, coordination, and supporting the long-term development of horse racing in the Kingdom. Further details will be shared in due course.
The Horse Racing Venue forms part of Qiddiya Investment Company's wider vision to develop Qiddiya City as a national hub for sport, entertainment, and culture, driven by the Power of Play.
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