The Taif Governorate will launch a new season of excitement and competition this coming Friday with the start of the Taif 2026 racing season at King Khalid Equestrian Field. The sporting event is considered one of the most prominent Saudi equestrian milestones, bringing together elite owners, trainers, and horsemen in a packed program spanning ten weeks, featuring 220 races, with prize money exceeding 22 million riyals.

The season reflects the established position that Taif has come to occupy in the kingdom's horse racing calendar, as King Khalid Field has become an annual destination attracting the finest purebred Arabian and crossbred horses, supported by the great backing the equestrian sector receives and its rapid development at regulatory, technical, and competitive levels. The season runs until next September 26, offering a series of graded races and major cups that give the season its technical weight. The competitions peak in the penultimate week with the King Faisal Cup (Class 3) for purebred Arabian horses over 1600 meters, with a prize of one million riyals, alongside the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Cup, classified as Listed, also with a prize of one million riyals, in two competitions expected to see strong participation from the best Arabian horses.

September 18 is dedicated to the series of four Taif Cups for purebred crossbred horses (Thoroughbred), led by the Okaz Cup for imported horses (three years and older) over 2000 meters, with a prize of 600,000 riyals. The following day features the National Day Cup for purebred crossbred horses over 2400 meters, with a prize of up to 450,000 riyals, in one of the strongest long-distance competitions of the season. Excitement continues in the fifth week, starting August 22, with the Taif Derby for purebred crossbred horses and the Taif Derby for purebred Arabian horses, each with total prizes of 350,000 riyals, following the preparatory races on August 1. Top horses will compete in the Taif Sprint Cup on September 5, with a prize of 350,000 riyals. The season concludes with the King Khalid Equestrian Field championships, with an additional race added to each race meeting, raising the number of races to 11 per meeting, a step reflecting the continuous growth of the season, increased participation, and diversity of competitions. The Taif racing season reaffirms year after year its status as one of the most significant specialized seasons in the kingdom, serving as a sports and economic platform that contributes to the development of the horse industry, stimulates investment in the equestrian sector, and highlights the historical value of the purebred Arabian horse, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop the sports sector and enhance the kingdom's position as a global destination for equestrian sports.