Dirt horses topped the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings in 2016, with Juddmonte owned Arrogate leading the now six-year-old California Chrome by a rating of 134 to Chrome’s 133. It is only fitting therefore that all eyes are on the Pegasus World Cup Invitational as the first great international contest of 2017, where the two have been confirmed to run in the race at Gulfstream Park, on the dirt over 1 and 1/8 miles.

Twelve runners will line-up for their chance at the world record $12 million USD purse. To date, eight horses have been confirmed for this inaugural event, which offers a brand new format to the sport of kings. Arrogate and California Chrome look set to oppose a number of horses they have previous victories against, however the Argentinian raider Eragon will not be looking to be joining these ranks. A multiple Group 1 winner in his native Argentina, Eragon is for the first time trying his hand beyond the two courses that he’s made a name for himself at back home.

Whilst the confirmed entry list grows for the race on January 28th, it’s the 13th jockey that’s stealing all the headlines for the riders. UFC Champion and global sports star Conor McGregor has launched his campaign to become the “pound for pound number one jockey on the planet”.

With California Chrome expected to retire following the Pegasus World Cup, the door is wide open for Arrogate to take victory in the biggest dirt races of the year, including the Dubai World Cup at Meydan in March, before the turf stars of the Northern Hemisphere make their seasonal reappearances, and then the Breeders’ Cup Classic in early November.

After a most impressive 1-2-3 in the 2016 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Aidan O’Brien is sure to be firing on all cylinders again through 2017. The retirement of fantastic servant Found will not hinder his quest for success, perhaps spearheaded by his star colt, Churchill. The Guineas in May and the Derby in June could provide a double last won by the magnificent Camelot. Overseas though, O’Brien’s globetrotting star Highland Reel will be looking to secure victory in some of the world’s most prestigious races. Similar performances to the mesmerising display in the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Turf should see him go close across the world, including another potential tilt at the end of season Hong Kong Vase in December, part of the star studded Hong Kong International Races.

A Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory may be a bridge too far for the now five-year-old with the 2016 emergence of two very high quality French horses. Dual Champion Stakes winner Almanzor could be an unstoppable force through 2017, and if a schedule without the Arc is planned, then last year’s Prix De Diane winner, and still unbeaten filly, La Cressonniere will look to oblige for the home support at Chantilly.

Down under it’s one horse capturing all the plaudits, Australian Horse of the Year, Winx. The Chris Waller trained Winx, could well be in line to secure a third consecutive Cox Plate. Plans to bring the mare to Europe have been extinguished in order to allow her to equal the record of Cox Plate victories with the great Australian horse, Kingston Town. She is an ante post 2/1 for the victory, and this market is a stark contrast to the Melbourne Cup market, where the joint favourites are 2016 winner Almandin and third place Hartnell, at 20/1.

It’s sure to be another thrilling year of international action on the turf courses and dirt tracks around the world. We hope all of our clients enjoy the year of racing ahead.

HBA offers international rights and distribution services to some of the world’s most prestigious races, including the upcoming Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Saturday 28th January. Contact us for more information by email at racing@hbaracing.tv or call +44(0) 1666 822769.