S'PORE POOLS VENTURES INTO SAUDI ARABIA RACING

Dec 5 marks the first time wagering on the kingdom's booming industry is offered here

- Michael Lee

Singapore Pools is rolling out wagering on Saudi Arabia horse racing for the first time from Dec 5.

With the United Arab Emirates market already the first successful "desert raid" under its belt, the Singapore gaming company's new initiative aligns itself with the emergence of Saudi Arabia as a leading racing jurisdiction in recent years.

While horse racing has existed in the Middle-East oil-rich kingdom for nearly 60 years, it significantly put itself on the global racing map when the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) staged the world's richest race at Riyadh's King Abdulaziz Racecourse since 2020 - the US$20 million (S$26.9 million) Saudi Cup (1,800m).

The 2024 renewal was won by US horse Senor Buscador for trainer Todd Fincher on Feb 24.

While the industry made its first baby steps in 1965, it was not until 1971 that it became regulated at Malaz and was registered as a full member of the Asian Racing Federation in 1999.

With an elevation of 1,646m, summer temperatures in the north-eastern town of Ta'if remain lower than in its capital Riyadh, allowing the kingdom to stage horse racing all year round despite its desertic climate.