Churchill Downs Inc. has announced the addition of three key races in the Middle East to the European-Middle East qualifying series for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. These newly included races—the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas, the Saudi Derby (G3), and the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes (formerly the Al Bastakiya)—will now offer valuable qualifying points, creating expanded opportunities for three-year-old Thoroughbreds to earn an invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Details of the New Qualifying Races:
- UAE 2000 Guineas: Run over 1 mile at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai on January 23. Points awarded: 20 (winner), 10 (second), 6 (third), 4 (fourth), 2 (fifth).
- Saudi Derby: Run over 1 mile at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh on February 14. Points: 30-15-9-6-3.
- Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes: Run over 1 3/16 miles at Meydan on February 20. Points: 20-10-6-4-2.
With these inclusions, the European-Middle East path to the Kentucky Derby now consists of 10 races, culminating in the $1 million UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan on March 28. The UAE Derby’s points have also been increased, with 100 for the winner, 60 for second, 30 for third, 15 for fourth, and 10 for fifth place.
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., commented: “These additions deepen our international pathway to the Kentucky Derby and extend the Derby brand into two of the sport’s most dynamic markets. By anchoring a multi-race circuit in Dubai and including the Saudi Derby in Riyadh, we are building consistent engagement with global owners, trainers and fans, strengthening the Derby’s worldwide relevance. This expansion is a meaningful step in advancing CDI’s international footprint while ensuring the Kentucky Derby remains the most compelling stage for the world’s best three-year-old Thoroughbreds.”
The Derby qualification system, in place since 2013, assigns points to the top five finishers in designated prep events, determining which horses qualify for the race’s limited 20-starting-gate positions. The European-Middle East and Japan series operate separately from the primary 36-race U.S. circuit, jointly providing up to three spots for international contenders. The European-Middle East route can award up to two Derby invitations to top point earners.
The inclusion of two Dubai-based events alongside the UAE Derby now allows horsemen in the region to follow a clearly sequenced preparation campaign at Meydan Racecourse. His Excellency Ali Al Ali, CEO of Dubai Racing Club, stated: “This recognition underscores Meydan Racecourse’s role as a true international hub for Thoroughbred racing, and it provides horsemen in our region with a clearly defined pathway to one of the sport’s most iconic stages. The Kentucky Derby is a global symbol of excellence, and we are proud that Dubai’s races will contribute to shaping its field. This partnership not only highlights the strength of our racing program but also reflects our shared commitment to engaging fans and supporting the future of racing worldwide.”
The $1.5 million Saudi Derby, first run in 2020, has gained international recognition for attracting elite three-year-olds, including participation from prominent Japanese runners. Notably, Forever Young won the race in 2024 before finishing third in the Kentucky Derby. His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, noted: “The addition of The Saudi Derby on the European-Middle East road to the Kentucky Derby is an important step forward for Saudi racing and offers local owners the chance of winning points for their horses to earn a run at Churchill Downs in May 2026. This announcement also marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership between The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and Churchill Downs Inc., which holds the promise of more collaboration in the future.”
Historically, 57 horses that raced outside North America have competed in the Kentucky Derby since 1967, including winners Canonero II (1971, Venezuela) and Bold Forbes (1976, Puerto Rico), with strong showings from European and Japanese interests over the years.
