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Pegasus World Cup to Offer Breeders’ Cup Winners Complimentary Travel

North American-based winners of this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be offered complimentary equine travel to Gulfstream Park to compete in the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational series.

The $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup for 4-year-olds and up and the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf for 4-year-olds and up will be contested Saturday, Jan. 23.

Winners of the Pegasus World Cup and Pegasus World Cup Turf will also have guaranteed spots in the starting gate for the Saudi Cup Feb 20.

Pegasus World Cup Day will feature a total of seven stakes, all graded, worth $4.8 million.

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Pegasus Series Races To Offer Guaranteed Spots In Saudi Cup Day Events

The winners of four Graded races in the USA and Japan will be guaranteed spots in three Saudi Cup Day races, following an announcement made Friday by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA).

The Grade 1 $3m Pegasus World Cup, set to be run on dirt at Florida's Gulfstream Park on Jan. 23, 2021, once again offers its winner a confirmed place in the $20m Saudi Cup starting gate.

In 2020 the Pegasus top spot was taken by Saudi owner HRH Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Al Saud's Mucho Gusto, trained by US Hall of Famer, Bob Baffert. A popular competitor among the home crowds at King Abdulaziz Racecourse during Saudi Cup week a month later, Mucho Gusto finished fourth in the big race under US-based jockey, Irad Ortiz, earning $1.5m for connections.

Taking the Saudi Cup's association with Gulfstream Park and the prestigious Pegasus Series one step further in 2021 is the addition of the Grade 1 $1m Pegasus World Cup Turf as a qualifying race for the $1m Middle Distance Turf Handicap on Saudi Cup Day.

In 2020 this became the first turf race to be staged in Saudi history and took place on the purpose-built grass track. The win went to Port Lions trained in Bahrain by Fawzi Nass and ridden by Dutchman, Adrie de Vries.

Tom Ryan, the JCSA's Director of Strategy and International Racing said: “The Pegasus races have consistently attracted the best horses in the USA since they were established in 2017 and this is exactly the caliber of runner we want to continue to welcome to Riyadh for Saudi Cup on both the dirt and turf tracks.

“Nurturing an ongoing alliance between the Saudi Cup and established races with global followings such as the Pegasus World Cup and Pegasus World Cup Turf is key to our continued growth and development on the international racing stage.”

Craig Fravel, CEO of Racing Operations, The Stronach Group, the company behind the Pegasus World Cup said: “The Stronach Group is delighted that the winners of the 2021 Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series races will be invited to participate in Saudi Cup Day.

“In four short years, the Pegasus World Cup has become one of sport's most exciting experiences and one of Thoroughbred racing's most pivotal events, bringing together the world's best racehorses. Races like the Pegasus World Cup and Saudi Cup encourage international competition and promote our sport to fans across the globe.”

The JCSA has also worked with the Japan Racing Association (JRA) to establish the Grade 1 $1.96m Champions Cup held over 1800m on dirt at Chukyo Racecourse on December 6, as a second qualifying race for the Saudi Cup.

In addition, the 1200m Grade 3 Capella Stakes, on December 13 at Nakayama Racecourse, which carries a purse of $703,000, has been announced as a qualifying race for the $1.5m Riyadh Dirt Sprint over the same distance on Saudi Cup Day.

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Prominent Japanese trainer, Hideyuki Mori, who campaigned Full Flat to victory in the 2020 Saudi Derby on Saudi Cup Day welcomed the news: “It is exciting news to hear that Champions Cup and Capella Stakes are appointed as qualifying races for the Saudi Cup and the Riyadh Sprint,” he said. “It is the tendency that the rating of Japanese dirt horses are lower than turf horses and therefore we need these kind of races in Japan.

“I have just decided to withdraw Matera Sky from Breeders Cup to save him for the Riyadh Dirt Sprint and look forward to visiting Saudi again in February.”

Ryan said: “We are very excited to be able to announce these two high quality Japanese races as providing a guaranteed place to the Saudi Cup starting gate and the Riyadh Dirt Sprint respectively.

“The first two finishers in the 2019 Champions Cup, Chrysoberyl and Gold Dream came to Saudi Cup in 2020 proving an already established route for top class runners between the two races and the two jurisdictions.

“We are keen to encourage more international runners across all our races, not just the marquee Saudi Cup event, and so feel our association with this strong sprint in Japan is an important step for us as we build on the successes of year one.”

Adding to the international flavour across Saudi Cup weekend is the introduction of the $500,000 Saudi International Handicap, a race for horses from Part II and Part III racing countries as designated by the IFHA's Blue Book.

The Handicap will be held on Friday February 19, 2021, the day before Saudi Cup for horses rated 85-110.

“We are keen to provide as much interest and excitement across Saudi Cup weekend as possible for all our connections and also race fans,” said Ryan. “We had a good start in year one but we will continue looking at ways to evolve our race days and support worldwide horse racing. With the Saudi International Handicap we wanted to offer a global stage, to horses and connections that may not normally have this access, backed up by attractive prize money.”

The second renewal of Saudi Cup weekend will take place on Friday February 19 and Saturday February 20 2021 and the JCSA will announce any decisions regarding access to the event relating to Covid-19 restrictions at the earliest possible stage.

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Midnight Bisou Retired

Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute–Diva Delite, by Repent), the reigning Eclipse Award-winning older female and five-time Grade I winner, has been retired from racing, according to Jeffrey Bloom, co-owner and managing partner or Bloom Racing Stable.

“I cannot begin to tell you what this mare has meant to me, my family, and my partners,” said Bloom. “The places she has taken us and the thrills she has given us are immeasurable. And just to be in her presence is to feel what greatness is all about. Her calm, inquisitive demeanor, her fierce determination in a race is unlike any other horse. She is all class. I’m just so grateful I got to be a part of her incredible journey, and I’m extremely excited to watch the next phase of her life, watch her become a mother, and for her babies to hit the track with all of her class and elegance, and continue the Midnight Bisou legacy.”

Bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Midnight Bisou was bought back on a bid of $19,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September sale, but improved over the next seven months and was hammered down to Bloom as agent for $80,000 at the OBS April Sale the following spring (under-tack video). Turned over to Bill Spawr in California, Midnight Bisou was sent off at debut odds of 21-1 for Bloom and Allen Racing LLC and was beaten a nose by future Grade I winner Dream Tree (Uncle Mo), to whom she was also beaten a nose in the Desi Arnaz S. in her next start.

She became the queen of the hill in Southern California in 2018, winning the GII Santa Ynez S., the GIII Santa Ysabel S. and the GI Santa Anita Oaks (video) in convincing fashion before heading to Churchill Downs for her next appearance.

The Monomoy Girl Meetings…

On the strength of that form, Midnight Bisou was made the 23-10 favorite for the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, but she endured a nightmarish trip from a wide draw and did well to be third, beaten just over four lengths by Monomoy Girl (Tapizar). With better and richer options for his filly in the eastern half of the U.S., Bloom elected to transfer Midnight Bisou to trainer Steve Asmussen, who saddled the filly to a towering six-length success in the GII Mother Goose S., with Madaket Stables now part of the ownership group. Clearly second to Monomoy Girl in the GI CCA Oaks, the dark bay was third in the 10-furlong GI Alabama S., then crossed the line a neck second to Monomoy Girl in the GI Cotillion S. (video) before being elevated to the victory. She closed the season with a rallying third to her arch-rival in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

The Making of a Champion…

While Monomoy Girl spent the entirety of 2019 on the shelf, Midnight Bisou dominated the division, with seven wins from eight starts. Ultra-game in taking the GI Apple Blossom H. by a nose in April, she was imperious in adding the GI Ogden Phipps S. and GIII Molly Pitcher S. before throwing down with Elate (Medaglia d’Oro) in one of the year’s most thrilling stretch battles in the GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga (see below). A nose best that day, she romped in the GII Beldame S. before suffering her first defeat of the season in the Distaff. She was nevertheless the runaway winner of the Eclipse, besting her Distaff conqueror Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize) by a wide margin.

WATCH: Midnight Bisou outduels Elate in the 2019 GI Personal Ensign S.

Training On at Five…

The morning of the Distaff, Bloom announced that Midnight Bisou would be withdrawn from the Fasig-Tipton November sale and would instead focus on a 5-year-old campaign. Connections selected the inaugural $20-million Saudi Cup for their mare’s seasonal debut, and despite racing far back early, she made eye-catching progress up the rail in the final furlong to finish a close second to Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) (video). In the meantime, Monomoy Girl had made a successful return to action and a much-anticipated rematch loomed in the GII Fleur de Lis S. June 27. But the Brad Cox runner was re-routed for the GII Ruffian S. at Belmont two weeks later and Midnight Bisou took full advantage, rolling home by 8 1/4 lengths. Beaten a neck into second by Vexatious (Giant’s Causeway) in this year’s Personal Ensign Aug. 1, Midnight Bisou was being pointed for this weekend’s GI Juddmonte Spinster S., but she was off following a work at Saratoga this past Monday and was sent to Rood and Riddle in Lexington to be examined by Dr. Larry Bramlage. The renowned vet confirmed Wednesday that Midnight Bisou had sustained a sesamoid fracture in her right front fetlock. Surgery is not indicated and the injury will not impact her future as a broodmare.

Midnight Bisou will be consigned by Elite Sales to this year’s Fasig-Tipton Night of the Stars Nov. 8.

“I want to thank trainer Steve Asmussen, assistant trainer’s Scott Blasi, Darren Fleming, her main exercise rider Angel Garica, groom Gerardo Morales (Chocolate), and the entire Asmussen team for the devotion and care they provided each and every single day,” Bloom added. “I would also like to thank her regular rider, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who shared a very special bond with her, and was aboard for all five Grade I wins, as well as the other jockeys who were fortunate enough to climb aboard. Finally, a sincere thank you to all of Midnight Bisou’s legion of fans who have been extremely loyal with their support and love for our Champion throughout her career.”

Midnight Bisou was never out of the top three in her 22 career starts at 10 different racetracks, compiling a record of 13-6-3 and bankrolling $7,471,520. She has been sent to WinStar Farm where she will be turned out in the interim.

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JCSA Reveals Plans for 2021 Saudi Cup, Issues Update On Maximum Security

In a press briefing held Tuesday, The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) announced that the 2021 running of the $20-million Saudi Cup will be held Feb. 20, one week earlier than the date for the inaugural edition of the world’s richest race. The announcement was made by HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of the JCSA, who, during a question-and-answer session with the media, also addressed the unresolved situation concerning Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) and his former trainer Jason Servis.

Shortly after Maximum Security crossed the wire first in the 2020 running of the race, Servis, his trainer, was among 27 individuals indicted for allegedly giving his horses performance-enhancing drugs. Subsequently, the JCSA announced that his owners would not be paid their $10-million share of the purse pending a further investigation. Prince Bandar indicated that the JCSA will base its final decision on the outcome of the legal preceding against Servis in the U.S.

“We will have to await what are the results of this investigation (in the U.S.) and act accordingly,” Prince Bandar said. “There are only two choices ahead of us. Either Maximum Security and his team are vindicated and therefore we can pay out the prize money and this becomes history. If not, as per our rules, there will be a disqualification and the prize money will go to the horse who finished second and all of the prize money after that will be adjusted. These are the only two options available to us…We are every encouraged that the U.S. is taking a very serious position when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs and we all know what happens in the U.S. matters.”

Despite the Maximum Security situation, the inaugural running of the Saudi Cup and several supporting stakes races was widely viewed as a major success in terms of the quality of horses that came in from all over the world to participate.

“It’s hard to overstate the success of Saudi Cup 2020 when you consider that in year one of a brand-new international racing event, we attracted some of the very best horses, trainers, and jockeys in the world,” Prince Bandar said. “We witnessed 22 individual group or grade 1 winners, who had accumulated an impressive 34 wins at that level between them. That would be an excellent statistic for even the most well-established race meetings in the world, let alone to have that caliber in year one.”

In an effort to continue to build the event, the JCSA has increased the purses of three races on the undercard, which will raise the total amount of prize money paid out over the two-day meet from $29.2 million to $30.5 million. The most significant increase will come in the Saudi Derby, a 3-year-old race run at 1,600 meters on the dirt. Its purse will go from $800,000 to $1.5 million.

About 10,000 fans attended the 2020 Saudi Cup, and Prince Bandar said efforts are underway to increase the attendance in 2020 by about 30 percent. He acknowledged, however, that the COVID-19 pandemic has meant those plans may be subject to change. He anticipated that, at the very least, owners will be able to attend the races come February.

“Take into account that the situation here in Saudi Arabia is a lot better picture than most parts of the world,” he said. “The question is how accessible will the Kingdom be come February to people from all over the world. That largely depends on how the COVID-19 pandemic turns out in the upcoming months. We will arrange for the teams around the horses and the owners to attend. It remains to be seen what we can do when it comes to spectators.”

JCSA Director of Strategy and International Racing Tom Ryan said it was too early to know which horses will be pointing toward the Saudi Cup. But the JCSA’s presentation included a video clip from Bob Baffert, who said he would be pointing Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man) to the race. Owned by Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, Mucho Gusto finished fourth this year.

The International Jockeys Challenge, to be held Feb. 19, will also return and will include seven female jockeys, five international male jockeys and two Saudi-based riders. The jockeys will compete for $100,000 plus 15 percent of prize money. The 2020 challenge featured the first ever appearances in Saudi Arabia by female jockeys.

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