The dates for the 2026-2027 Riyadh Racing Season, featuring the G1 Saudi Cup meeting on February 5-6, has been revealed by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA). The Asian Pattern Committee has also upgraded the Saudi Derby, set for Saudi Cup Day (February 6), from a Group 3 to a Group 2.The 2026-2027 season in Riyadh will begin on October 16 and end on April 17. A new feature is the Riyadh Crown Series for local-bred horses (December 4, January 22, and March 12). There is also a series for local-bred fillies, the Riyadh Sword Series, on December 5, January 8 and February 6, with the finale also open to imported fillies.Across the 2026-2027 season, there are 50 race days spread out over six months, with the JCSA racing Fridays and Saturdays. There are 21 feature race days headlined by seven stand-out weekends including:The Juvenile Championship,The Crown Prince Cup (November 27),The Kings' Weekend (December 18-19),The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques weekend (January 8-9),The Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Festival (January 15-16),The Saudi Cup (February 6)The King Abdulaziz Cup (March 12)For the full calendar and more information, please visit the JCSA website.Said HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, royal court advisor, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Equestrian Authority and chairman of the Board of Directors JCSA, said “This support has contributed to consolidating The Kingdom's position on the global horseracing map, and the Riyadh Season 2026/2027 comes as an extension of this journey, with a program that carries measurable initiatives that reflect our ambition to provide a stronger and more competitive season, and to continue to raise the level of racing in line with the position that The Kingdom has reached globally.”The post Saudi Derby Upgraded, As 2026-2027 Riyadh Racing Season Revealed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.