The Pegasus World Cup: Uniting Behind a Dream

During the annual “They're Off” Kentucky Derby awards luncheon, April 23, 1982, legendary sportsman and philanthropist, John R. Gaines, discussed an idea he had been contemplating with a few of his contemporaries. His plan was designed to unite and enhance the industry he loved so much and to create a day of championship racing toward the end of the year. Baseball had its World Series, football, its Super Bowl and horse racing needed its own year end championship. He was met with a lot of skepticism initially. Thoroughbred horse racing is steeped in tradition, something that I love about our sport and change is generally met with apprehension. It took Mr. Gaines two years but on November 11, 1984, many of the world’s top thoroughbreds traveled to Hollywood Park to compete in our sport’s first Breeders' Cup World Championship. John Gaines’ dream became a reality which has only flourished with time and in 2006 was voted as our sport’s most memorable moment of the last 100 years by a panel of racing industry experts. 

Thirty-four years after Gaines dream began, another prominent sportsman, Frank Stronach, founder and honorary chairman of the Stronach Group, devised an idea to further elevate our sport. On January 28, 2017, Stronach’s Gulfstream Park will host the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup, the world’s richest race. Its innovative format consists of 12 stakeholders who pay $1 million each to enter. The $1 million buys a stall in the starting gate which can be contracted, shared, sold, or leased. 

All 12 spots were filled in a little over a day after they became officially available. Also, NBC Sports Group quickly struck a deal for a 90 minute telecast from Gulfstream Park.

Multiple Grade 1 winner and probable 2016 HOY candidate, California Chrome, and Stronach owned, Shaman Ghost, winner of 2016 Grade 1 Woodward Stakes were early entrants. Possibles are 2016 Grade 1 Cigar Handicap winner, Connect, and Gun Runner, the 2016 Clark Handicap winner. But it’s a Chrome-Arrogate rematch everyone wants to see. Bob Baffert was so excited about his trainee’s workout yesterday that he’s considering using the San Pasqual at Santa Anita on January 1 as a prep for the Pegasus. Probable 2016 HOY nominee, Arrogate’s connections have done all but confirmed he will be in the world’s richest race but with horse racing, anything can happen.

Frank Stronach has surrounded his new venture with the best: Jack Wolf, founder of Starlight Racing, is CEO of the Pegasus World Cup and Breeder’s Cup board member, Tom Ludt, is assisting in marketing and coordination.

Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of the Stronach Group and Belinda Stronach, chairman, are all working together to create the best experience for lovers of horsemen and fans.

Gulfstream Park has traditionally maintained high standards with all their guests. For example, they have a Racing Ambassadors program for guests who are new to handicapping or would like assistance. RA’s are available at the guest services booth located in the breezeway or simply dial #954-457-6284 and an RA will come to you.

Eleven years after John R. Gaines death, his contributions to the horse community he loved so much were remembered during a ceremony before last years Breeder’s Cup. A bronze plaque in his honor was unveiled in the Thoroughbred Park in downtown Lexington, KY. Mr.Gaines family attended and his son, Thomas remembered his father’s dreams and achievements.

He said, ”When thoughts become big ideas, and those ideas become beliefs, and those beliefs turn into a vision, while it may take one remarkable individual to dream those dreams and then go make them happen, the Breeders' Cup, at its core, is a real-life story of what can be accomplished when a few individuals and then an industry unite behind a powerful dream.”

I am looking forward to seeing something very special on January 28, 2017. The people at its core are passionate about horses and the sport of horse racing and desire to see it thrive. For our sport to grow, we have to try new things. Growing pains can be difficult but in the long run, quite rewarding. We do not have to look too far back in our history to see what some people thought of as Gaines’ folly was instead, a masterpiece.