Qiddiya announces new racetrack; AlUla to host FEI World Championship as equestrian sector drives tourism, jobs, and economic diversification
Equestrianism has emerged as a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation, with major giga-projects integrating horse racing and related sports into their long-term development strategies, leaders told the 41st Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Speaking on a panel hosted by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, executives from Qiddiya and AlUla outlined how horses are driving not only sporting ambition but also tourism, job creation, and community building across the Kingdom.
The session coincided with the announcement of a new racetrack at Qiddiya, the sprawling entertainment and tourism destination on the outskirts of Riyadh, which is set to become the permanent home of The Saudi Cup.
Marc Hewett, Executive Director and Head of Racecourse at Qiddiya Investment Co., said the development is rooted in broader national goals.
“Creating economic stability, increasing equity, generating demand, job creation, sustainability targets, and improving infrastructure—these developments are all based around core residential, education, sport, and retail projects,” Hewett said.
“We’re embracing the power of play. Qiddiya will be home to 500,000 residents and support 200,000 jobs across tourism, hospitality, education, sports, and entertainment.”
Meanwhile, in AlUla, the horse is being positioned as both a cultural touchstone and an economic asset. Tim Hadaway, Equestrian Development Executive Director at AlUla’s sports sector, said the ancient oasis city is preparing to host an FEI World Championship event later this year.
“The horse is really one of the key strategic pillars of the project, part of Vision 2030 to drive economic development and diversity, as well as the development of tourism, to showcase this part of the Kingdom to the world,” Hadaway said.
He also noted increasing collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s various equestrian projects, describing a coordinated effort to build a unified national ecosystem.
“We’re working together, looking at what the ecosystem needs across the Kingdom, to find that really strong infrastructure, that really strong development, that helps the Kingdom succeed on the international stage.”
Saudi Arabia has made sport a cornerstone of its diversification agenda, with high-profile investments in football, golf, and tennis. But panelists stressed that horseracing—deeply rooted in the Kingdom’s heritage—holds unique potential to connect economic ambition with cultural identity.
The 41st Asian Racing Conference, organized by the Asian Racing Federation, continues in Riyadh through the week, drawing industry leaders and stakeholders from across the global racing community.
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