Senor Buscador Emerges Victorious in the 5th Edition of Saudi Cup 2024
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: In a dazzling spectacle at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman presided over the crowning of America’s Senor Buscador as the champion of the 5th edition of the prestigious Saudi Cup. The event, recognized as the world’s richest horse racing competition, featured a staggering total prize money of $37.6 million and was held under the esteemed patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman.
As the evening unfolded on Saturday, the Crown Prince extended his heartfelt congratulations to Sharaf Al-Hariri, the owner of the triumphant Senor Buscador. In a grand ceremony, the Crown Prince presented the coveted Saudi Cup to Al-Hariri, expressing admiration for the exceptional performance of both horse and rider. Accompanying the accolades, horse trainer Hamad Al-Rashid and jockey Junior Alvarado were also honored, receiving a horse replica and a cavalry horse helmet, respectively.
Upon his arrival at the venue, the Crown Prince was warmly welcomed by key figures, including Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Equestrian Authority, and Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, deputy emir of the Riyadh region. The distinguished gathering also included Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports, and Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan, member of the Board of Directors of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
The Crown Prince’s entourage included prominent figures such as Prince Salman bin Sultan, emir of the Madinah region, Prince Turki bin Muhammad bin Fahd, minister of state and member of the Council of Ministers, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, minister of interior, Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, minister of the National Guard, and Prince Badr bin Abdullah, minister of culture.
The highlight of the evening was the thrilling final round of the horse race competition, witnessed by the Crown Prince himself. The event drew the participation of the finest thoroughbreds and top jockeys from around the globe. Prior to the race, participating horses graced the parade ground, showcasing their elegance and strength in front of the Crown Prince. The jockeys, equally distinguished, were also present on the parade ground.
Following an electrifying race, Senor Buscador emerged victorious, securing the top position in the 9th round of the Saudi Cup race. Japan’s Ushba Tesoro claimed the second position in this high-stakes horseracing event.
The ceremony was attended by several notable personalities, including Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, chairman of the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club of Bahrain. Ministers, dignitaries, and senior guests from both within and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with participating horse owners, added to the grandeur of the Saudi Cup Race ceremony. The event underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting excellence in equestrian sports on the global stage.
