The legendary Churchill Downs, renowned for hosting the Kentucky Derby, is collaborating with two of the United Kingdom’s most prominent horse racing venues, Ascot and Epsom, to establish some truly remarkable prospects for those in the equestrian world. The concept aims to link the Kentucky Derby, a globally celebrated race, with esteemed transatlantic events such as the Epsom Derby and races held at the illustrious Royal Ascot gathering.
Equines will have the opportunity to vie for positions in these historic competitions, with travel expenditures fully covered, simply by participating in designated races during Kentucky Derby week. Gary Palmisano Jr., a prominent figure at Churchill Downs, stated that this alliance will provide owners and trainers with a fantastic chance to race their horses at Churchill Downs during Derby week, coupled with the potential reward of competing in some of Europe’s most renowned races. He emphasized that numerous exceptional turf horses already journey to Churchill Downs for races leading up to the Derby, and this partnership will grant European horsemen the chance to partake in the excitement of Derby week as well.
In particular, the victors of two of the most prestigious turf races on Kentucky Derby day, the Old Forester Turf Classic and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint, will receive invitations to participate in the Queen Anne Stakes, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Aspiring three-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses aiming for American turf glory have a golden ticket within reach: a shot at competing on the iconic Epsom Downs racetrack in England. The victors of the Grade 2 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes and the Grade 2 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes, both held during the esteemed Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, will secure automatic berths and travel allowances to their corresponding races overseas – the prestigious Group 1 Epsom Derby and the Group 1 Epsom Oaks.
“This exciting new partnership with Churchill Downs and the Jockey Club of England fills us with enthusiasm,” declared Nick Smith, Vice President of Racing Operations and Public Affairs at NYRA, the entity responsible for Belmont Park. He continued, reflecting on the developing alliance, “Hosting the Churchill Downs team at Royal Ascot last year, where they presented the Kentucky Derby trophy in preparation for their own landmark 150th anniversary, was a true pleasure.”
This cooperative endeavor represents a significant leap towards international unity in the world of horse racing, hinting at a future brimming with exhilarating cross-Atlantic competitions.
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