RIYADH — King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Janadriyah is gearing up for the launch of the first renewal of the Prince Abdullah Bin Jaloy Cup on Saturday as the 3-year-old fillies take part in the SR 300,000 prize race, organized by the Jockey Club.

The race will take place during the 96th festival of the Jockey Club season in tribute to the late Prince and his efforts in uniting the Kingdom with the late founder King Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The 96th festival also featured the Al-Jouf Region Governorate Cup and the Ministry of Culture Cup, while the Japan Cup (local G3) will be held on Friday.

The Prince Abdullah Bin Jaloy Cup will be held on a 1400-meter track with the participation of highly nominated fillies to win the race, Smoky Quartz, Jumanat Alreem and Mazyuna.

The Japan Cup is the first Grade 3 race to be held at the Saudi racecourses which was approved after a visit by the late King Abdulla Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Japan when he was Crown Prince at the end of the last century.

Meanwhile, a similar annual race is held in Japan in October, under the name of the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup, to mark the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

This year’s race features fillies aged from 4 years and up competing on the 1600-meter track with prize money of SR 165,000.

The fillies most nominated to win the prize are Israaj (IRE), Avalina, Mor'edah and Botoolaat.

The Al-Jouf Region Governorate Cup is considered the first major race to be organized on Saturday evening with the participation of horses aged from 4 years and up which will be competing over the longest distance of 2400 meters.

Twenty horses will participate in the race, the most prominent of which are Heshan, Aljamaanee, Latin and Mabdaak.

Horses aged from 4 years and up will be ready to compete for the Ministry of Culture Cup title in the 10th round of the 96th festival on Saturday.

The Ministry of Culture is one of the entities actively participating with the Jockey Club in the organization of The Saudi Cup.

The Ministry of Culture Cup race will be held at a distance of 1600 meters with the participation of Mon Choix, Toledo, Asian Angel and Astaroth horses which are among the favorites to win the Cup.