Proposed Saudi Race could rival Pegasus riches

Treve · Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:15 pm

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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:33 pm

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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:50 pm

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

Treve · Mon Apr 16, 2018 6:37 pm

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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:18 pm

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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:20 pm

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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 7:30 pm

BaroqueAgain1 wrote: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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 9:32 pm

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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 9:47 pm

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 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 10:08 pm

BaroqueAgain1 wrote: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.

BaroqueAgain1 · Mon Apr 16, 2018 10:19 pm

Bal, do you hate Frank's neighbors so much that you would put that enormous eyesore next door to them?

Treve · Tue Apr 17, 2018 12:42 am

It would fit in perfectly with a tacky Vegas casino

Premier Pegasus · Thu Apr 19, 2018 4:37 pm

stark wrote: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.

Or.....

It could be the first race of a 3 -race Pegasus Desert Triple Crown event....

Catalina · Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:36 pm

BaroqueAgain1 wrote:Bal, do you hate Frank's neighbors so much that you would put that enormous eyesore next door to them?

Well,if his HOA or the neighbors object too much, he can always put it in his living room.

Catalina (not Bal)

BaroqueAgain1 · Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:41 pm

Many fans, myself included, have wanted to see a lucrative series for older horses that would rival the sophomores' Triple Crown. Could that be happening?

It would be nice if those responsible for these three different meetings could cooperate to place their races a perfect number of weeks apart...and not try to jockey for a position that would put another race at a disadvantage.
And a big 'ooops' to Ballerina and Catalina. Your names aren't THAT similar.

Saintly · Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:36 pm

BaroqueAgain1 wrote:Many fans, myself included, have wanted to see a lucrative series for older horses that would rival the sophomores' Triple Crown. Could that be happening?
It would be nice if those responsible for these three different meetings could cooperate to place their races a perfect number of weeks apart...and not try to jockey for a position that would put another race at a disadvantage.
And a big 'ooops' to Ballerina and Catalina. Your names aren't THAT similar.

Yes ! Since I started following U.S. racing & delved into the history a bit, I've felt it was a bit too TC & BC centric.

I'd love to see the old New York Triple dusted off & set in place again. With a bonus to any horse taking out the Triple.

Re-jig the dates a bit and the Met run at 8 furlongs, the Brooklyn at 9 and the Suburban at 10 furlongs

Far more interesting than a one off race for 16 million bucks that isn't really 16 million bucks

Treve · Fri Apr 20, 2018 8:26 am

The Brooklyn is at 12f

Catalina · Fri Apr 20, 2018 6:45 pm

BaroqueAgain1 wrote:Many fans, myself included, have wanted to see a lucrative series for older horses that would rival the sophomores' Triple Crown. Could that be happening?
It would be nice if those responsible for these three different meetings could cooperate to place their races a perfect number of weeks apart...and not try to jockey for a position that would put another race at a disadvantage.
And a big 'ooops' to Ballerina and Catalina. Your names aren't THAT similar.

Maybe because were both strongly opinionated (though not always of the same opinion?)