Proposed Saudi Race could rival Pegasus riches

[Treve]

https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... asus-purse

The days of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) having the world's richest purse at $16 million could be numbered.

Arab News reported that up to $29 million could be up for grabs in February for a new international race day in Saudi Arabia, with a main event—the King Abdulaziz Horse Championship—offering a purse of $17 million.

"There will be around eight to 10 races on the big day," Saleh Al-Hammadi, general director and secretary of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Club and general manager of the King Abdulaziz Horse Championship told Arab News. "Of course the Pegasus World Cup is $16 million, but people pay $1 million to participate, so it is different."

Arab News reported that Feb. 23 has been earmarked as a likely date, although any time in the last two weeks of the month are possible. The King Abdulaziz Horse Championship is likely to be staged in Riyadh and on dirt, which would put it in direct competition with the Dubai World Cup, which was run March 31 this year, and Qatar's Emir's Sword Festival meeting in Doha, Qatar, which was held at Al Rayyan Racecourse Feb. 22-24. Reports have indicated other alternatives being considered include holding the event in December.

The Pegasus has been conducted in late January the past two years at Gulfstream Park.

[BaroqueAgain1]

If the Saudi race were run around Feb. 23 and the DWC were run again around the same date, that would leave four to five weeks between the two high-dollar meets. I could see potential runners targeting both meets, since many stakes horses will run two races within that time period.
Frank's Pegasus might be the choice for the American dirt horses running in the Pegasus & DWC but, for international grass runners, targeting the Saudi/Dubai meets would seem a good fit.
Money is just falling out of the palm trees on the Arabian Peninsula, isn't it?

[Somnambulist]

I guess the only difference is the sheiks will actually put up the money they're advertising.

[Treve]

I don't actually think it would be in direct competition with the Pegasus since they want to card a main event race on the Dirt in Saudi. If the projected dates stay the same that could leave 4-6 weeks between the Pegasus, this Saudi race and the Dubai World Cup.
I suppose it would also depend on the distance of the Saudi race, currently the 9f distance of the Pegasus can draw in milers attempting to go further. If this Saudi race is carded at 10f it might be more of a competition with the Dubai World Cup since I'm not sure if a lot of people would go back to back 10f races with their horses so close together (but I could be wrong here especially since it would be off-lasix, the recuperation time might be shorter). It might be another blow to the Big Cap which is already struggling in recent years.
I know it will never happen but I'm gonna dream of a 12f G1 event on dirt for older horses. Now if only either Sheikh was willing to add a bonus for a horse that could win all three... Or all 3 + the Classic (in the same year). And if this prize money could trickle down into aftercare...
(I know, I know. Gonna go inject myself with an extra dose of realism... )

[BaroqueAgain1]

As Som pointed out, connections who might be deciding which races to target wouldn't have to pony up $1 million to run in the Saudi/Dubai races. That could leave the Pegasus as the least attractive, unless an owner has a horse that really doesn't ship well.

[thinair]

Good article from today about the Pegasus. One thing it makes absolutely clear is that it is nowhere near a $16 million race. They didn't even go through with the charade of making entrants pay $1 million and then refunding at least $650K to all finishers. It was $350K for all to enter. The race was worth a bit above $8 million. A hefty amount for sure, but not the World's richest race as advertised.


https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/arti ... -176912769


One would hope that this will cause the Jockey Club to stop recognizing the fake earnings from the race.

[Somnambulist]

As Som pointed out, connections who might be deciding which races to target wouldn't have to pony up $1 million to run in the Saudi/Dubai races. That could leave the Pegasus as the least attractive, unless an owner has a horse that really doesn't ship well.

They don't have to pony up $1M. Read the article thinair referenced. It's pretty funny.

I don't care how much money anyone has. $1M is a lot to put up so I'm not sure how sustainable this is going to be long term.

[stark]

A swag.....
The Pegasus will take a one year hiatus to evaluate and restructure the race and conclude it should be relocated to Santa Anita.

Only unresolved issue is the future of that statue.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Maybe there's some dupe out there with no taste, but lots of money and space, who'd take it off Frank's hands?

[Catalina]

Maybe there's some dupe out there with no taste, but lots of money and space, who'd take it off Frank's hands?

I think Frank should take it with him and put it up in his front yard, if his homeowners association lets him.