The world’s richest ever race was staged at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational. A race over one and one eighth miles on the dirt at Florida’s premier racetrack. An idea thought up by Gulfstream Park owners, The Stronach Group, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational was the first race of its kind, offering 12 owners the chance to buy a place in the starting stalls at US $1million, which they then were able to sell, share or lease a runner for.

The line-up for the $12million contest looked like this:

1) Arrogate (USA)

2) Prayer for Relief (USA)

3) Neolithic (USA)

4) Noble Bird (USA)

5) War Story (USA)

6) War Envoy (USA)

7) Shaman Ghost (CAN)

8) Semper Fortis (USA)

9) Keen Ice (USA)

10) Breaking Lucky (CAN)

11) Eragon (ARG)

12) California Chrome (USA)

In the build-up to the race, the discussion centred on the rematch of Arrogate vs California Chrome, following a gripping finish contested between the two at Santa Anita Park for the 2016 Breeders’ Cup, which was won by the Juddmonte Farms owned Arrogate. Chrome held favouritism for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational until the gate draw, when Arrogate’s favourable inside draw pushed him to the top of the market. It appeared, through the odds at least, that the 10 other runners were running for minor honours.

The race started as expected with the front running Noble Bird shooting straight out into a lead, followed in close pursuit by California Chrome on the wide outside, Arrogate on the rail, and Neolithic between horses to hold second on the first turn. Positions were held up the back straight, with a few lengths between this leading pack, plus War Story, and the rest of the field. It wasn’t until the turn for home that the race began to unfold, Arrogate and Neolithic pulling ahead of Noble Bird, however Chrome was unable to follow. The race owners’ entry, Shaman Ghost, was the only horse in the field able to bridge the gap on the turn to the leading quintet. It was evident by the time they had straightened up for home that Chrome was not going to be first past the post, and even getting a place was looking unlikely. Arrogate put in the performance of a true champion to win eventually by nearly five lengths, from the strong finishing Shaman Ghost, who was over three lengths clear of Neolithic, holding on to third from another strong finisher and high class horse, Keen Ice. Chrome was eased down for the final couple of furlongs, finishing ninth.

Arrogate picked up the world record US $7million, a few days after retaining his lead at the top of the Longines World Best Horse Rankings. Shaman Ghost earned his owners the Stronach Group $1.75million, and Neolithic justified his entry in the race with $1million earnings from the inaugural event.

It has been reported since the conclusion of the race that California Chrome was slightly lame, however no-one can hold one performance against Chrome with the incredible career he has had. Having now been retired, Chrome is off to stud in Kentucky. Arrogate meanwhile will be looking ahead to summer races in preparation for retaining his Breeders’ Cup crown, after his owners stated the Dubai World Cup was not the right option for the four-year-old.

On the back of the great success that the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational proved, Racing New South Wales has today announced plans for a similar format race at their Randwick track in Australia. The race will however be worth AU $10million, staged on a turf track, and contested by sprinters over 6 furlongs. Owners will have to purchase one of the 12 spots in the gate at AU $600,000.

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational was distributed worldwide to over 120 territories, across a host of networks. HBA offers international rights and distribution services to some of the world’s most prestigious races. Contact us for more information by email at racing@hbaracing.tv or call +44(0) 1666 822769.