Dubai Carnival Begins with racing toward Saudi Cup

Not many people can have a season as successful as Harry Skelton‘s in 2021. By April 21st, he had claimed 150 victories, a number that is not often seen in these types of endeavours. Although the success of last season doesn’t always spell success for the season ahead, will Harry Skelton carry the same energy into the Dubai Carnival and later feed it into the Saudi Cup?  

For years, the Dubai Racing Carnival, or as many people refer to it, the World Cup of Horse Racing, was the most lucrative race in the industry of horse racing, using G1 status horses and with a purse of $15 million. That was until the Saudi Cup increased its purse, and the horse’s status in the cup was recently upgraded to G1. It’s becoming clear that the Saudi Cup is creeping up on that title and class that was always unique to the Dubai Carnival. 

That being said, the Saudi Cup can’t compete with the length of the Dubai Carnival. The Dubai Carnival takes place for three months, from January to March, whereas the Saudi Cup is only two days at the end of February. On the other hand, the idea of making more money in less time is becoming increasingly appealing to racers around the world. 

What is the Saudi Cup?  

Simply put, the Saudi Cup is currently the most lucrative horse race globally, with a purse of $20 million and its new and improved G1 status. G1 status means that it has the most thorough and standardbred horses. For a horse to achieve G1 status, it also needs to win a certain number of races. This high standard and massive purse attract only the cream of the crop in the horse racing industry. 

Where is the Saudi Cup?  

The Saudi Cup is raced in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on the one-turn dirt oval at King Abdulaziz Race Track. Don’t let the fact that the race is on dirt fool you; this is a “stadium”, and it suits the nature of this cup. 

When is the Saudi Cup?  

The race starts on February 26th, 2022. Anticipation is at an all-time high due to the recent upgrade to G1 status and because the reigning champion, Misheff, is defending his title. If he wins the Saudi Cup, Misheff will become the highest-earning racehorse of all time. 

The Saudi Cup and the Dubai Carnival. 

Currently, there doesn’t seem to be tension between these two events, but who knows if the figurative “carrot” that is being dangled with the Saudi Cup might cause jockeys to refrain from racing in the Dubai Carnival altogether. 

 The Dubai Carnival will likely always remain popular, and the jockeys will always maintain the merit of winning such a tight competition. If the best jockeys in the world are going to go to Dubai between January and March for the Dubai Carnival anyway, these elite riders might as well take a detour, A quick “practice” while taking their chances by also competing in the richest race in the world. 

The word “practice” is used in jest, as most riders are seemingly doing the opposite, using the Dubai Carnival as a place to test out the competition and climatise not only themselves as jockeys, but their horses as well, before the Saudi Cup takes place. 

With high stakes to be won, these two spectacular races will be worth keeping an eye on. Many rumours suggest that riders may strategically plan their races to maximise their chances of success in both. The riders will choose their wins. That is not to say that riders will purposefully lose their races as the Saudi Cup approaches. However, it is wise to consider that your favourite rider might only be pushing his horse to 70% for the races they take part in, days before the approaching competition. 

Is it fair for riders to have the two biggest events in horse racing within such close proximity to each other? Probably not, but it sure does make it more entertaining to watch! Who are you going to be betting on? Will Frankie Dettori swallow his words in the Dubai Carnival of 2022? Only time will tell, and all viewers can do right now is sit back, strap in and watch the event unfold in front of their eyes.