Saudi Cup: Maximum Security wins world’s richest horse race

American thoroughbred Maximum Security raced to victory at the inaugural Saudi Cup, bagging a staggering $10 million.

Ridden by Luis Saez, the horse finished three-quarters of a length ahead of the American champion Midnight Bisou to take the winning share of the record-breaking $20 million prize purse.

The brand-new event takes the crown as the sport’s richest, having overtaken the $12 million purse at the Dubai World Cup in 2019.

Around 10,000 fans were in attendance at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh to see Maximum Security prevail after a thrilling race.

“It was a very impressive show today,” winning rider Saez said. “That’s what the world was waiting for, and we did it. He’s amazing and has a big heart.”

READ: The 7 richest horse races in the world

The newly created Saudi Cup in February 2020 will offer a purse of $20 million with a first prize of $10 million.

Eye-popping prizes —

The Pegasus World Cup was the richest horse race in 2018, with an improved prize fund of $16 million. The event was re-imagined for 2019 with a reduced pot of $9M for the dirt race and $7M for a separate turf race.

Dubai World Cup —

The $12 million Dubai World Cup was usurped by the Pegasus, but still offers an eye-watering $7.2 million for the winner. Godolphin's Thunder Snow won in 2018 and 2019.

The Everest —

Now considered Australia's richest race, The Everest is also the world's richest race over turf with the prize pot almost $10M. The race's prize fund is set to rise even further in 2020.

Breeders' Cup Classic —

Considered by many as the unofficial fourth leg of the prestigious Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup Classic is the second richest race in North America. The prize pot is $6 million with the winner scooping just over half.

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe —

Europe's richest race is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the epitome of Parisian chic at the revamped Longchamp racecourse. In 2018, the winner earned $3.2 million out of a fund of $5.6M. Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori (pictured) holds the record for most race wins (six), including dual triumphs on Enable.

Japan Cup —

Inaugurated in 1981, the Japan Cup is the country's richest horse race. Home-grown talent has flourished at the event -- since 2018, every winning trainer and owner has come from Japan. Almond Eye is the reigning champion, clinching $2.7 million.

Melbourne Cup —

It may have been overtaken as Australia's richest race but the Melbourne Cup remains a prestigious event. The prize pot is about $5.2 million with this year's winner collecting $2.8 million.

Breeders' Cup Turf —

Carrying a prize fund of $4 million, the Breeders' Cup Turf is a showpiece event in the US. Winning connections claim a cool $2.2M.

Kentucky Derby —

The Kentucky Derby is an exhilarating mile-and-a-quarter dash on dirt, dubbed "the most exciting two minutes in sports." The winner of the iconic race clinches $1.425 million.

Epsom Derby —

The historic Epsom Derby is a sporting and cultural event on the UK social calendar with a prize pot for owners of about $1.9 million with the winner bagging just over $1M.

Astonishing prize money from the richest horse races on the planet

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Banishing demons

For Maximum Security and trainer Jason Servis, it was a day of moving past previous disappointments.

The thoroughbred had become the first horse ever to be disqualified from first place in the Kentucky Derby in 2019 for causing interference, a result that the owners of Maximum Security filed a federal lawsuit against in an attempt to overturn the disqualification.

The 4-year-old came into the race as one of the favorites but was made to work for the victory.

Mucho Gusto, the winner of the $9 million Pegasus World Cup – formerly the world’s richest race – led for most of the 1,800-meter, nine-furlong track.

And with the finishing line approaching, and with Maximum Security attempting to pass on the outside, Mucho Gusto drifted out into Saez’s path.

It took some quick thinking from the rider to adjust, and the Kentucky-bred thoroughbred held onto win, with Mucho Gusto finishing fourth.

After the race, winning trainer Servis was unhappy with the finale of the race.

“I was a little upset with Irad Ortiz,” Servis said. “He carried me out in the stretch and then came down on (Maximum Security). But that’s for another day.”

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Mucho Gusto’s trainer, Bob Baffert, said: “I thought he had it. He just got a little short at the end. I think the track was better out in the middle, and Irad was just trying to get there.”

The win was Maximun Secuity’s seventh in nine starts and increased his career earnings to $11,801,900. Today’s win is added to victories in the Cigar Mile, Haskell Invitational and Florida Derby.