The Board of Directors of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, announced a package of new administrative decisions aimed at strengthening institutional work and injecting new blood into the organizational structure of the club, during the seventeenth meeting of the Board.
Details of the new administrative decisions
The board issued an official statement confirming its approval of the request by Mr. Ziyad bin Saad Al-Muqrin, the club's CEO, to be relieved of his position. He has been appointed as an advisor to the board to benefit from his extensive experience. In a move aimed at strengthening the executive leadership, the board appointed Prince Salman bin Abdullah bin Salman bin Mohammed Al Saud as the club's CEO, while he continues in his role as Secretary General of the board.
These decisions were made during the Council meeting held on Thursday evening, 16 Ramadan 1447 AH (corresponding to March 5, 2026 AD), and will come into effect on Sunday, 10 Shawwal 1447 AH (corresponding to March 29, 2026 AD).
General context and status of the horse racing club
This leadership change comes at a time when the equestrian and horse racing sector in Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant growth, with the club becoming a global focal point through its organization of major international events, most notably the Saudi Cup, the world's richest horse race. These appointments are particularly important given the club's pivotal role in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 related to sports and quality of life, and in enhancing the Kingdom's position as a global destination for traditional and modern sports.
Prince Salman bin Abdullah's leadership experience
The new CEO, Prince Salman bin Abdullah, has a proven track record in corporate governance and legal management. He holds a Master's degree in International Law and Negotiation from the United States and has nearly nine years of academic experience. He has previously held several key positions, including:
- Secretary General of the Board of Directors of the Horse Racing Club.
- Chairman of the Secretariat of the Board of Directors of the Equestrian Authority.
- Previous job at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority.
His Highness has contributed directly to developing governance frameworks and organizing the work of committees and councils in the equestrian sector, making him qualified to lead the club towards a new stage of administrative professionalism.
Thanks, appreciation and aspirations for the future
In closing, Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal and the members of the council expressed their deep gratitude to Mr. Ziyad Al Muqrin for his dedicated service during his tenure, wishing him success in his new advisory role. For his part, Prince Salman bin Abdullah affirmed his pride in this trust, emphasizing his commitment to working with the council and the executive management to further develop the horse racing sector and elevate it to international standards. He also thanked his predecessor, Mr. Al Muqrin, for his support and guidance during his time in office.
