Saudi Cup Picks —Betting Preview and Predictions (Feb 14)

While there will be a huge focus on the action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby this weekend, with the Risen Star Stakes and Sunland Park Derby both staged, it is hard to overlook the superstar thoroughbreds that will be in action in the Middle East. The world’s richest race is set for Riyadh on Feb 14, and you can find the odds and our Saudi Cup picks here.

Odds

Saudi Cup Recent Winners

Saudi Cup: Event Information

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Race Preview

The world’s richest horse race is set for Saturday, with a $20 purse being up for grabs in the 2026 Saudi Cup. A superstar field of runners will line up in Riyadh for their shot at history, but all eyes will be on the defending champion, and 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic hero- Forever Young.

The Japanese superstar has already won over $25 million in prize money, and he looked better than ever when battling to victory against Sierra Leone and Fierceness at Del Mar in November. On Saturday, he could become the first multiple-time winner of the Saudi Cup, having battled to victory against Romantic Warrior in a stunning edition 12 months ago.

Bob Baffert-trained Nysos is a fascinating contender this weekend. The five-year-old stayed on strongly to win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November, before holding off Nevada Beach by a head to score in Grade Two company at Santa Anita in December. His stamina will be tested in this company.

Bishops Bay is another American-trained runner to take their chances in the Middle East this weekend. The Brad Cox runner has won four from seven in stakes company, which includes success in the G2 Cigar Mile at the start of December. Stays this distance well after landing the American Pharoah Overnight Stakes last year, but this is a considerable step up in grade.

Saudi Cup Picks

All eyes will be on Forever Young this weekend, but it could be another Japanese raider that lands the spoils. Luxor Café is an incredibly talented son of American Pharoah, and was excellent in winning in graded company in Japan last year.

Among those included a stunning win over the Saudi Cup distance in a Kentucky Derby prep. Will need to put December’s no-show behind him, but he should be a stronger and more battle-hardened horse for connections as a four-year-old.