SIS Expands Portfolio with King Khalid Racecourse in Ta’if

SIS (Sports Information Services) has enhanced its comprehensive horse racing portfolio by incorporating races from King Khalid Racecourse in Ta’if. Supplier adds 351 races from Saudi Arabia as new season gets underway.

Ta’if Racing Season Overview

The 2024 racing season at Ta’if will run from July 4th through September 28th, with events taking place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at King Khalid Racecourse. Located 1,800 meters above sea level on the scenic slopes of the Hijaz Mountains, Ta’if has been a prominent location for summer racing in the Middle East since 1965, thanks to its moderate climate and large population.

This season features 39 race days, comprising 273 Thoroughbred and 78 Purebred Arabian races. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) has increased the number of handicap races and introduced preparatory races for major cups, providing a clear progression path for horses into the Riyadh season. Supplier adds 351 races from Saudi Arabia as new season gets underway. Prize money has been boosted by 24% from the previous season, with an average prize of SAR104,378 (approximately US$27,800) per race.

Significant events during the Ta’if season include the Ta’if Arabian Derby on September 6th, and the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Cup (Listed) and King Faisal Cup (Listed) on September 20th, both for Purebred Arabians. These key races are expected to attract considerable interest from the horse racing community.

The extended partnership with JCSA strengthens SIS’s portfolio, which now encompasses over 36,000 annual horse races, including the Riyadh season at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. SIS distributes content from both Saudi tracks to more than 70 countries, highlighted by the prestigious US$20 million Saudi Cup in February.

Will Saudi Racing Spark Increased Interest?

Michele Fischer, Vice President of SIS Content Services, praised the continuous improvements in Saudi Arabian racing quality, stating, “The quality of racing in Saudi Arabia continues to improve each year and it is great that we are now able to provide our partners with content from King Khalid Racecourse in Ta’if, the only racecourse in the region that races throughout the summer months.

“The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia has worked tirelessly to produce an engaging racing calendar and we are sure the addition of racing from Ta’if will lead to even more interest in Saudi Arabian racing.”