The JCSA achieved step one of its development goals when it was promoted from Part III to Part II in the IFHA’s Blue Book in 2021. Shortly after, The Saudi Cup itself was given Group 1 status after just two renewals, while the five international undercard races for Thoroughbreds were classified as Group 3s. Internally, the focus is now on achieving further upgrades for races on Saudi Cup day and expanding the black type classifications to races during the Riyadh season.
Increased international involvement in the JCSA’s seasonal fixtures has been identified as a key growth factor for the JCSA and the 21/22 season saw five Thoroughbred contests in Riyadh open up to regional runners, including the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques race – a domestic Group 1.
Elsewhere the JCSA is implementing a series of wide-ranging infrastructure developments at both King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and King Khalid Racecourse in Ta’if.
While King Abdulaziz Racecourse currently functions as a noteworthy international venue, the JCSA is engaged in ongoing major works to expand seating capacity and relocate the equine facilities from their current position on the home stretch to the opposite side of the grandstand. This will allow for the optimised movement of horses on race days while freeing up prime viewing space and facilitating the fluid movement of larger numbers of spectators.
In Ta’if the developments are focused around horse movements and stabling capacity, allowing for the JCSA to host not only The Kingdom’s Thoroughbred population during the area’s cooler summer months, but also to become a focal training and racing point for the region’s less temperate racing jurisdictions.
