Equestrian Excellence: 5 Contenders to Watch at the 2026 Saudi Cup
RIYADH — Following the late withdrawal of Magnitude, the tactical landscape of the $20 million Saudi Cup has been recalibrated. The field remains one of the most decorated in history, featuring five distinct profiles capable of claiming the world’s most valuable trophy.
Here is the revised technical lineup of the top five horses to watch this Saturday:
- Forever Young (JPN): The undisputed king of the dirt and defending champion; he returns as the favorite to become the first two-time winner after his recent Breeders’ Cup Classic triumph.
- Nysos (USA): The most dangerous threat from the United States; this Bob Baffert trainee and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner possesses the elite tactical speed to dominate Riyadh’s one-turn 1,800m.
- Star Of Wonder (KSA): The local powerhouse and King Faisal Cup victor; he is unbeaten on this track and represents the Kingdom’s best hope of keeping the trophy on home soil.
- Ushba Tesoro (JPN): The legendary closer and 2023 Dubai World Cup winner; after losing by a heart-breaking head in 2025, he returns for redemption with a proven ability to fly in the final 200 meters.
- Bishops Bay (USA): A gritty specialist at the nine-furlong distance; the Brad Cox-trained Cigar Mile winner is a “street fighter” known for prevailing in high-pressure, deep-stretch duels.
The departure of Magnitude shifts the pace dynamics, potentially favoring closers like Ushba Tesoro if the Baffert-trained speedsters set a contested early fraction. As Riyadh prepares for the global broadcast of the event, these five athletes stand at the pinnacle of international thoroughbred racing, embodying the competitive spirit of Vision 2030’s sports evolution.