Saudi Arabia and Japan continue close relationship with 2026 G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup in Tokyo

image:Ecoro Alba crossing the finish line in the 2025 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup, Tokyo Racecourse. Credit: Japan Racing Association

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Thursday October 10, 2026: The Saudi Arabia Royal Cup gets underway on October 10 2026, marking the eleventh renewal of the partnership between the Japanese Racing Association (JRA) and the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA).

First held under the Saudi banner in 2015 when then Crown Prince, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presented the trophy at Tokyo Racecourse, the event has since come to represent the close sporting and equestrian ties between the two countries.

Open to two-year-olds and carrying a generous purse of USD $502,000 the 1600m turf contest was won in 2025 by Ecoro Alba (JPN) trained by Yasuhito Tamura.

This year the JCSA’s CEO, HRH Prince Salman bin Abdullah bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Saud will attend the meeting in Japan and present the trophy to winning connections.

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