Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes
September 19th 2008 07:06
It is a fact of modern racing that including horses from other countries adds great interest to the most iconic events. The Melbourne Cup was long time the bastion of Australian racing (and training techniques) until along came Dermot Weld and Vintage Crop in 1993 to successfully internationalise our greatest race. And most recently the surprise (to many) when Japanese horses Delta Blues and Pop Rock dominated the race to run the quinella.
(photo: britishracecourses.org)
Kempton Park has just announced the creation of a race to be run next Spring that will guarantee entry into the Kentucky Derby for the winner. This race is an initiative of Churchill Downs and Kempton Park and the race will be known as the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes. It will be run over 9 furlongs on Kempton’s Polytrack (under lights) on March the 18th and the winner will receive $150,000 - with a bonus of $100,000 if the horse then competes in the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs will provide $90,000 of the $150,000 purse - and in addition will pay all of the $100,000 bonus.
The race is designed to encourage international interest in the Kentucky Derby, which has not had a foreign based runner since 2002. European horses are usually disadvantaged by the graded stakes earnings system used to select the field as the European season starts later than the North American schedule.
The year 2002 was a peak year for international entries in the Kentucky Derby with Aidan O’Brien being represented by Johannesburg (8th) and Castle Gandolfo (12th). Godolphin were represented by 9th placed Essence Of Dubai.
The Venezuelan champion Canonero 11 (in 1971) is the only non-North American horse to ever win the Kentucky Derby.
"The presence of international contenders always adds to the anticipation and intrigue surrounding America's greatest race.”
"It has been wonderful to work with Kempton Park in this innovative effort to encourage the presence of an international competitor at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.”
"A consistent international presence in the Derby will strengthen worldwide interest in our race and, in the long term, boost demand for the event as we work to expand distribution of Kentucky Derby wagering opportunities into new international markets." - Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs.
Already showing great interest are globe-trotting Irish trainers Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld (Weld won the Belmont Stakes in 1990 with Go And Go, in addition to numerous other races in the US).
"It is a great initiative created by both Churchill Downs and Kempton Park. If I were to have the right horse for the job, I would most definitely target the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes as a qualifying race ahead of the Race for the Roses." - Dermot Weld.
"I think it is a great idea and hopefully we will have runners in it." - Aidan O’Brien.
Video of the 2002 Kentucky Derby - and the most recent appearance of international entries:
Kempton Park at night on the polytrack
(photo: britishracecourses.org)
Kempton Park has just announced the creation of a race to be run next Spring that will guarantee entry into the Kentucky Derby for the winner. This race is an initiative of Churchill Downs and Kempton Park and the race will be known as the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes. It will be run over 9 furlongs on Kempton’s Polytrack (under lights) on March the 18th and the winner will receive $150,000 - with a bonus of $100,000 if the horse then competes in the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs will provide $90,000 of the $150,000 purse - and in addition will pay all of the $100,000 bonus.
The race is designed to encourage international interest in the Kentucky Derby, which has not had a foreign based runner since 2002. European horses are usually disadvantaged by the graded stakes earnings system used to select the field as the European season starts later than the North American schedule.
The year 2002 was a peak year for international entries in the Kentucky Derby with Aidan O’Brien being represented by Johannesburg (8th) and Castle Gandolfo (12th). Godolphin were represented by 9th placed Essence Of Dubai.
The Venezuelan champion Canonero 11 (in 1971) is the only non-North American horse to ever win the Kentucky Derby.
"The presence of international contenders always adds to the anticipation and intrigue surrounding America's greatest race.”
"It has been wonderful to work with Kempton Park in this innovative effort to encourage the presence of an international competitor at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.”
"A consistent international presence in the Derby will strengthen worldwide interest in our race and, in the long term, boost demand for the event as we work to expand distribution of Kentucky Derby wagering opportunities into new international markets." - Steve Sexton, president of Churchill Downs.
Already showing great interest are globe-trotting Irish trainers Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld (Weld won the Belmont Stakes in 1990 with Go And Go, in addition to numerous other races in the US).
"It is a great initiative created by both Churchill Downs and Kempton Park. If I were to have the right horse for the job, I would most definitely target the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes as a qualifying race ahead of the Race for the Roses." - Dermot Weld.
"I think it is a great idea and hopefully we will have runners in it." - Aidan O’Brien.
Video of the 2002 Kentucky Derby - and the most recent appearance of international entries:
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