Colonel Liam Tops Final Invitation List For G1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Presented by Qatar Racing
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL (January 18, 2023) – For the first time, the Pegasus World Cup has entered into a partnership with Qatar Racing, the global racing and bloodstock operation founded and chaired by Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani. The $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf presented by Qatar Racing is one of North America’s most prestigious Grade 1 turf races and will be broadcast live on NBC between 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 28 from Gulfstream Park.
“We are proud to welcome Qatar Racing as the presenting sponsor for the 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST RACING. “Qatar Racing is a significant supporter of Thoroughbred racing globally, and we look forward to partnering with them on the Pegasus and beyond.”
Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Racing said:“We are delighted to sponsor the Pegasus World Cup Turf, which has quickly established itself as one of the leading fixtures in the USA, as Qatar Racing continues to evolve as a global breeding and racing operation.”
As part of the sponsorship, Qatar Racing is proud to present the digital series “2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf Contenders” to be featured on @PegasusWorldCup social channels. This series will highlight the contenders, their connections and provide a brief history of their paths to the Pegasus.
Headlining Pegasus World Cup Day, a program featuring eight stakes, seven graded, worth $5.3 million in purses, is the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) presented by Baccarat for 4-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.
Two-time defending champion Colonel Liam continues to top the dozen invitees to the Pegasus World Cup Turf presented by Qatar Racing. Robert and Lawana Low’s 6-year-old finished sixth in the December 31 Fort Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream, his first race in 281 days. He is joined by City Man and Grade 1 winner Decorated Invader, respectively 1-2 in the Fort Lauderdale for trainer Christophe Clement.
Also remaining from the initial list are Ivar, a Brazilian-bred multiple Group 1 winner in Argentina that won the 2020 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1); Master Piece, winner of the Eddie Read (G2) and second in the Del Mar Handicap (G2); Hollywood Derby (G1) winner Speaking Scout; Who’s the Star, riding a three-race win streak in the Durham Cup (G3), Autumn (G2) and Valedictory (G3) on Woodbine’s all-weather surface; and 2022 Bay Shore (G3) winner Wit, third by less than a length in the Hollywood Derby.
Charles Fipke’s Lady Speightspeare is the lone female on the invitation list. The 5-year-old Speightstown mare owns four career graded-stakes wins – the 2020 Natalma (G1) and 2022 Nassau (G2), Trillium (G3) and Seaway (G3), all at Woodbine. She exits a third in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) November 5 at Keeneland.
Jordan Wycoff’s Atone has placed four times in graded-stakes including the 2021 Fort Lauderdale and most recently the Mint Million (G3) last fall at Kentucky Downs. He ran fourth behind Colonel Liam, beaten 1 ¾ lengths, in the 2022 Pegasus Turf. Trainer Mike Maker won the Pegasus Turf with Zulu Alpha in 2020.
Team Valor et. al’s Hurricane Dream has been group-stakes placed four times in Europe that has yet to race in the U.S. He was beaten a head when second in the one-mile Brunner Oettingen Rennen (G2) last September in Germany.
New to the main list is California Racing Partners, Ciaglia Racing and Ryan Hanson’s One More Bid, last out winner of the Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2) December 26.
There are three horses on the reserve list (in preferred order): multiple graded-stakes placed Good Governance, fourth last out in the Fort Lauderdale; 2022 Knickerbocker (G3) winner King Cause; and Dark Shift, winner of the Royal Hunt Cup last summer at Royal Ascot.
For more information on the 2023 Pegasus World Cup presented by Baccarat, please visit www.pegasusworldcup.com or follow on social @PegasusWorldCup #AllForOne.
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Media Contacts:
Tiffani Steer, Vice President, Communications, tiffani.steer@1st.com
David Joseph, Vice President, Communications, Gulfstream Park, david.joseph@gulfstreampark.com
Tessa Champion, Qatar Racing, tessa@jsccomms.co.uk
About The Stronach Group and 1/ST
The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment, media, content and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The company’s consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced “First”) powers The Stronach Group’s forward-thinking 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group’s continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations and gaming offerings at the company’s premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course – home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST’s media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing’s largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company’s live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group’s commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.
About Qatar Racing
Qatar Racing is a global racing and breeding operation founded and chaired by Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al Thani.
A subsidiary of QIPCO*, Qatar Racing has over 100 horses in training all over the world, including Great Britain and the USA. Its headquarters is located at Tweenhills, England, where Qatar Racing stallions, Kameko, Zoustar, Havana Gold & Lightning Spear, stand.
Qatar Racing is official title partner of the US$2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). In 2023 Qatar Racing became sponsor of the Pegasus World Cup Turf (“Pegasus World Cup Turf presented by Qatar Racing”).
For more information, please visit qatarracingltd.com
About QIPCO Holding
QIPCOis one of the leading private investment companies in Qatar. Its investment in horseracing as both a sponsor and commercial partner is the largest in the history of British racing. QIPCO was the first official partner of Ascot and Royal Ascot. QIPCO’s sponsorship portfolio also includes the prestigious QIPCO British Champions Series.
For more information, please visit qipco.com.qa