Qatar Racing sponsor 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf
For the first time, the Pegasus World Cup has entered into a partnership with Qatar Racing, the global racing and bloodstock operation founded and chaired by Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani.
The $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf presented by Qatar Racing is one of North America’s most prestigious Grade 1 turf races and will be broadcast live on NBC between 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 28 from Gulfstream Park.
“We are proud to welcome Qatar Racing as the presenting sponsor for the 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING. “Qatar Racing is a significant supporter of Thoroughbred racing globally, and we look forward to partnering with them on the Pegasus and beyond.”
Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Racing said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Pegasus World Cup Turf, which has quickly established itself as one of the leading fixtures in the USA, as Qatar Racing continues to evolve as a global breeding and racing operation.”
As part of the sponsorship, Qatar Racing is proud to present the digital series “2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf Contenders” to be featured on @PegasusWorldCup social channels. This series will highlight the contenders, their connections and provide a brief history of their paths to the Pegasus.
Headlining Pegasus World Cup Day, a program featuring eight stakes, seven graded, worth $5.3 million in purses, is the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) presented by Baccarat for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.
Two-time defending champion Colonel Liam continues to top the dozen invitees to the Pegasus World Cup Turf presented by Qatar Racing. Robert and Lawana Low’s 6-year-old finished sixth in the December 31 Fort Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream, his first race in 281 days. He is joined by City Man and Grade 1 winner Decorated Invader, respectively 1-2 in the Fort Lauderdale for trainer Christophe Clement.
Also remaining from the initial list are Ivar, a Brazilian-bred multiple Group 1 winner in Argentina that won the 2020 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1); Master Piece, winner of the Eddie Read (G2) and second in the Del Mar Handicap (G2); Hollywood Derby (G1) winner Speaking Scout; Who’s the Star, riding a three-race win streak in the Durham Cup (G3), Autumn (G2) and Valedictory (G3) on Woodbine’s all-weather surface; and 2022 Bay Shore (G3) winner Wit, third by less than a length in the Hollywood Derby.
Charles Fipke’s Lady Speightspeare is the lone female on the invitation list. The 5-year-old Speightstown mare owns four career graded-stakes wins – the 2020 Natalma (G1) and 2022 Nassau (G2), Trillium (G3) and Seaway (G3), all at Woodbine. She exits a third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) November 5 at Keeneland.
Jordan Wycoff’s Atone has placed four times in graded-stakes including the 2021 Fort Lauderdale and most recently the Mint Million (G3) last fall at Kentucky Downs. He ran fourth behind Colonel Liam, beaten 1 ¾ lengths, in the 2022 Pegasus Turf. Trainer Mike Maker won the Pegasus Turf with Zulu Alpha in 2020.
Team Valor et. al’s Hurricane Dream has been group-stakes placed four times in Europe that has yet to race in the U.S. He was beaten a head when second in the one-mile Brunner Oettingen Rennen (G2) last September in Germany.
New to the main list is California Racing Partners, Ciaglia Racing and Ryan Hanson’s One More Bid, last out winner of the Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2) December 26.
There are three horses on the reserve list (in preferred order): multiple graded-stakes placed Good Governance, fourth last out in the Fort Lauderdale; 2022 Knickerbocker (G3) winner King Cause; and Dark Shift, winner of the Royal Hunt Cup last summer at Royal Ascot.
For more information on the 2023 Pegasus World Cup presented by Baccarat, please visit www.pegasusworldcup.com or follow on social @PegasusWorldCup #AllForOne.