Saudi Arabia's newest group 1 race has received a huge prize money boost with The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announcing Dec. 17 that the 2026 Neom Turf Cup (G1T) will be staged for $3 million—an increase of 50%.
And in a further bolstering of The Saudi Cup card Feb. 14, the listed Tuwaiq Cup has seen its prize-fund doubled from $500,000 to $1 million.
The Neom Turf Cup was only recently unveiled as the country's first group 1 race to be staged on turf, and the 2,100-meter (about 1 5/16-mile) Invitational event, for Northern Hemisphere 4-year-olds and older and Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and older, has a rich roll of honor in just its six-year history.
The Japanese raider Shin Emperor landed this year's renewal to beat Calif and Irish St Leger (G1) winner and Hong Kong Cup (G1) fourth Al Riffa, while the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer struck the previous year.
In 2023, Shadwell's subsequent Royal Ascot Prince Of Wales's Stakes (G1) and Juddmonte International (G1) winner, Mostahdaf, ran away with the race to score by 7 lengths.
The Tuwaiq Cup over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) on dirt also received a massive uplift with the prize-fund doubling, making it an even more lucrative target for both local and internationally based horses. Entries for The Tuwaiq Cup, which has the same age requirements as the Neom Turf Cup, close Feb. 2.
Nominations for the 2026 Saudi Cup close today, Dec. 17.
