The Jockey Club (JCSA) is a Saudi club specializing in organizing horse races for thoroughbreds in two cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, on the King Abdulaziz Racecourse, and Taif, on the King Khalid Racecourse. The JCSA was established during the reign of King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1965.
Designation of Jockey Club
The Jockey Club was originally dubbed the Equestrian Club, before the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in 2020, approved changing its name to become the Jockey Club. The club organizes horse races by providing annual racing programs, cup seasons, and identifying participant categories, as well as issuing racing regulations and licenses, providing an information platform for horse classification, the issuance of import permits, and beneficiary services.
History of the Jockey Club
Horse racing has existed in the Kingdom since the time of the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, in the northeastern part of Riyadh City. Horses used to race from the end of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi Road to the finish line in front of a knoll where King Abdulaziz sat, which is the current location of the Jockey Club’s Sports Club in al-Malaz Neighborhood. The race was between the sons of the Founding King on thoroughbred Arabian horses owned by the King and some of his sons.
In the reign of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz, the knoll where King Abdulaziz sat was fitted with a seating terrace called Dakkah to watch the races. On the northern part of the site, a residential neighborhood was built, al-Malaz (from Arabic: Malaz al-khail, or horse mews), including a racecourse with horse stables on the eastern side.
Beginning of organized horseracing
In 1965, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, when he was Prince of Riyadh, organized a gathering of equestrian enthusiasts, which concluded with the official establishment of the horseracing club. A Royal Decree was issued by King Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, appointing the then-prince, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as head of the club. The site was fenced, and the first official horse race was held there.
Horseracing continued at the site and began to catch up with international races. Under the guidance of the club’s head, it was decided to establish a large global racecourse in a more spacious area. The new racecourse was built in al-Janadriyah Neighborhood of the capital Riyadh over nine km and is called the King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Mandate of the Jockey Club
The Jockey Club organizes horse races, provides sponsorship for their activities, and develops local and international partnerships. The club aims to achieve proficiency in all areas pertaining to horses: applying global quality standards in organizing races; employing effective techniques in horse management; providing information services to beneficiaries from horse owners, trainers, jockeys, and the public; promoting communication with horse racing audiences locally and globally; investing in equestrian activities to increase the club's annual income; and furthering media partnerships to support horse racing and increase its popularity.
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