Who owns or governs Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, and what does it do?
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia was established in 1965 by Royal Decree issued by King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and is the governing body for horse racing in the Kingdom. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is its Honorary President, its board is chaired by HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor at the Royal Court, and Prince Salman Bin Abdullah Bin Salman Al Saud is Chief Executive Officer. It organises, develops and promotes Saudi racing, with race meetings at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and King Khalid Racecourse in Taif. It also stages the Saudi Cup, a US$20M race first run in 2020.
Ownership and governance
JCSA says it was established in 1385 AH (1965) by Royal Decree issued by King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and describes itself as the governing body for horse racing in the Kingdom. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, is its Honorary President. Its board is chaired by HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor at the Royal Court, and includes HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport. Its website does not state its legal form or how it is funded.
JCSA oversees race meetings at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, which it says opened in 2003, and King Khalid Racecourse in Taif, which has hosted racing since 1965. Its 2026/27 Riyadh season runs from 16 October 2026 to 14 March 2027 with 50 race days; the 2026 Taif season ran from 24 July to 26 September with 20 race nights and 200 races. It stages the Saudi Cup, first run in 2020, which it calls the world’s richest race at US$20M, with over US$39.6M on offer across Saudi Cup weekend on 5 and 6 February 2027. JCSA says Saudi Arabia was promoted to Part II status in October 2021.
What JCSA runs
Racecourses
- King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh
- King Khalid Racecourse, Taif
Events
- The Saudi Cup
As listed by the organisation. See sources.
Key people
- Prince Salman Bin Abdullah Bin Salman Al SaudChief Executive Officer
- Ibrahim Yousef HelmiChief Financial & Support Services Officer
- Thamer Sultan AlmozanChief Investment & Asset Management Officer
- Liam JohnsonChief of Racing and Racecourse Officer
- Mohammed Ibrahim AlresseeniActing Chief Commercial and Beneficiary Services Officer
- Francesca CompostellaChief of Integrity and Development Officer
- Haitham Abdulrazzaq AlNajjarChief Strategy Officer
As listed on JCSA Leadership.
Status and listing
- Status
- Not listed
Where it operates
- Saudi Arabia
As the organisation reports it. See sources.
Key dates
- 1965
- The Equestrian Club, now JCSA, is established; a Royal Decree from King Faisal bin Abdulaziz entrusts its presidency to Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz
- 2002
- Riyadh's racing headquarters moves to a site at Al Janadriya, in the north east of the city
- 2003
- King Abdulaziz Racecourse opens, according to its venue page
- 2019
- An 1800m turf track is added at King Abdulaziz Racecourse
- 2020
- The inaugural Saudi Cup is run
- 2021
- Saudi Arabia is promoted to Part II status in October
- 2022
- Local favourite Emblem Road wins the Saudi Cup
- 2027
- JCSA's website lists Saudi Cup weekend for 5 and 6 February 2027, with over US$39.6M on offer (as published in October 2026)
Questions readers ask
Who owns the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia?
JCSA was established by Royal Decree in 1965 and is the governing body for horse racing in Saudi Arabia. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is its Honorary President and HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor at the Royal Court, chairs its board.
What does the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia do?
It organises, develops and promotes horse racing in Saudi Arabia, oversees race meetings at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and King Khalid Racecourse in Taif, and stages the Saudi Cup.
Where is the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia based?
Its website does not give a head office address. Riyadh's racing headquarters has been at Al Janadriya, the site of King Abdulaziz Racecourse, since 2002, and summer racing is held at King Khalid Racecourse in Taif.
Sources
Figures are taken from the documents listed below and carry the date they refer to.
