Ascot Racecourse, Churchill Downs, and the Jockey Club in the United Kingdom have joined forces to establish compelling prospects for the sport of horse racing. The collaboration, unveiled shortly before the 150th Kentucky Derby, will provide horses competing in significant races during Kentucky Derby week with a chance to participate in esteemed races overseas, such as the Epsom Derby and events during Royal Ascot, accompanied by travel incentives.<\/p>\n
“This exceptional alliance will generate remarkable opportunities for owners and trainers to contend during Kentucky Derby Week, with the possibility of securing a place in some of Europe’s most prestigious turf races,” stated Gary Palmisano, Jr., Executive Director of Racing at Churchill Downs Incorporated.<\/p>\n
“We witness some of our nation’s finest turf horses compete at the highest level annually on our Kentucky Derby undercard, and this partnership will present a superb occasion for European owners and trainers to bring their top horses to partake in the enchantment of Kentucky Derby Week.”<\/p>\n
Two of these pivotal races on Kentucky Derby day will serve as a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for Royal Ascot in mid-June. The victor of the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) will gain automatic entry into either the Queen Anne (G1) or the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1), while the winner of the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) will have the opportunity to run in the King’s Stand Stakes (G1). <\/p>\n
For three-year-old racehorses aiming for the American turf classics, the substantial rewards just became significantly more enticing. Churchill Downs, renowned for hosting the Kentucky Derby, has joined forces with Epsom Downs Racecourse in England to present alluring incentives. <\/p>\n
Equines emerging victorious in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes on Kentucky Derby Day and the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes on Kentucky Oaks Day will now gain automatic berths and travel allowances to vie for the esteemed Group 1 Derby at Epsom and the Group 1 Oaks, correspondingly. <\/p>\n
“This alliance with Churchill Downs and the British Horseracing Authority initiates an exhilarating new phase for global equestrian competition,” remarked Nick Smith, Vice President of Racing and Public Affairs at Keeneland. “We had the honor of receiving the Churchill Downs delegation last year during Royal Ascot, exhibiting the Kentucky Derby trophy as they prepared for the 150th anniversary of the most exciting two minutes in sports.”<\/p>\n
This joint effort denotes a substantial stride in international horse racing, establishing a path for captivating transatlantic contests in the future. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ascot Racecourse, Churchill Downs, and the Jockey Club in the United Kingdom have joined forces to establish compelling prospects for the sport of horse racing. The collaboration, unveiled shortly before the 150th Kentucky Derby, will provide horses competing in significant races during Kentucky Derby week with a chance to participate in esteemed races overseas, such […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n