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King Salman Presides over Saudi Cup Ceremony

The Saudi Cup is the world’s most valuable horse race. (SPA)
The Saudi Cup is the world’s most valuable horse race. (SPA)
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King Salman Presides over Saudi Cup Ceremony

The Saudi Cup is the world’s most valuable horse race. (SPA)
The Saudi Cup is the world’s most valuable horse race. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Honorary President of the Equestrian Club, sponsored on Saturday the Saudi Cup ceremony.

The Saudi Cup is the world’s most valuable horse race.

The event took place at the King Abdulaziz Equestrian Racetrack in Riyadh.

King Salman was welcomed at the venue by Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Advisor to the King and Governor of Makkah Region, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor at the Royal Court and Chairman of the Equestrian Club, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport, Prince Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to Austria and Director of the Equestrian Club Adel Al-Mazrou.

Saturday’s race has a maximum field of 14 runners and be run over nine furlongs (1,800m) on dirt.

The prize for the winning horse will be $10 million, with horses down to 10th place sharing another $10 million between them.

Announcing the first staging of the event on Wednesday, Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, the chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said: “The introduction of the Saudi Cup as an international race, is without doubt the most significant event in the history of horse racing in Saudi Arabia.”

“It demonstrates our resolve to develop this great sport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also our ambition to become a leading player on horse racing’s world stage.”

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Renard Back to Coach Saudi Arabia after Mancini Exits

France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)
France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)
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Renard Back to Coach Saudi Arabia after Mancini Exits

France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)
France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)

Herve Renard was hired to coach Saudi Arabia for a second time on Saturday, two days after the departure of Roberto Mancini.

“I'm back,” Renard said in a social media video posted by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation.

The Frenchman most recently coached France women to the Paris Olympics quarterfinals.

He was previously in charge of Saudi Arabia from 2019-23, a tenure that included a famous 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“I did not intend to leave (Saudi). But when your country knocks on your door you have to respond,” Renard said. “My connection with Saudi, the fans, the players and all the memories — I can never forget. I did not finish my story with Saudi.”

Renard’s contract will run until the end of 2025 with an option to extend until the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Mancini was hired by Saudi Arabia in August 2023 having led Italy to victory at the 2021 European Championship. But the serial trophy winner was quickly under pressure after an underwhelming Asian Cup in January and an exit in the round of 16.

In Asia’s third round of World Cup qualifying that started in September, Saudi Arabia has collected just five points from four games. This month at home it lost to Japan 2-0 and drew with Bahrain 0-0.

It left Saudi Arabia third place in the six-team group. The top two qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup while the third- and fourth-placed finishers progress to the fourth stage.

Renard’s first game back in charge is against Australia in Melbourne on Nov. 14.