Taif season concludes after 20 nights and 200 races
A busy summer season brought Thoroughbreds and Arabians together in one programme, distributing SAR23 million across 200 races over ten weeks.
The 2026 Taif season concluded after a programme running from 24 July to 26 September, with 20 race nights over ten weeks at King Khalid Racecourse.
A substantial racing programme
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia staged 200 races: 160 for Thoroughbreds and 40 for Purebred Arabians, alongside 31 championship cups. Total prize money was SAR23 million, making Taif a competitive season in its own right rather than a short bridge between seasons.
Arabian horses at the heart of the finale
The evening of 25 September featured two major Arabian races: the Group 3 King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Cup and the Listed Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Cup, each offering SAR1 million. Their funding and classification give Arabian horses a clear competitive role within a programme shared with Thoroughbreds.
Thoroughbred National Day Cup
On 26 September, the Thoroughbred National Day Cup offered SAR450,000 as part of the season finale. A notable cup on the last night strengthens the sporting finish and gives owners and trainers a goal beyond completing their seasonal appearances.
Why does Taif matter?
Twenty consecutive race nights allow the progress of horses, trainers and jockeys to be assessed over a meaningful period, while Arabians and Thoroughbreds have distinct routes within one calendar. From a breeding perspective, frequent racing makes it easier to identify horses capable of repeated performance rather than a single standout appearance.