Buick, Foley Added to Saudi Cup Jockeys Challenge

Multiple group 1-winning jockeys William Buick and Shane Foley have been added to the star-studded list of riders for the Saudi Cup's International Jockeys Challenge in Riyadh this month.

Buick, Foley, and leading Swedish female jockey Malin Holmberg have been confirmed in the line-up in the four-race event Feb. 19—the first day of the valuable meeting at King Abdulaziz Racetrack that culminates with the world's richest race, the $20 million Saudi Cup.

Ten of the 14 riders for the challenge have now been confirmed, including Pierre Charles-Boudot, Prix Marcel Boussac (G1)-winning jockey Jessica Marcialis, and last year's inaugural victor Sibylle Vogt.

"I really enjoy riding abroad and think it's massively important. The racing in Saudi Arabia is a big and growing operation," Foley said.

"I rode in the Japanese Jockeys Challenge in 2018 which was a good experience, and I've ridden against some of these jockeys; it's nice to be associated with these high-quality names and events, and I'm really looking forward to it."

Foley and Buick will also be in action on the $30.5 million Saudi Cup card the following day, with the latter set to partner group 1 winner Space Blues in the 1351 Turf Sprint.

"My first time riding in Saudi was around 12 years ago, and the Saudi Cup race day itself was a massive success," Buick said. "There were winners from all over the world, and the races were really competitive. For the organizers of a big meeting, that's your dream—competitive racing and a level playing field."