The Pegasus World Cup Turf – Grade I
1 1/8 Mile Turf Stake Purse $1,000.000 Open 4 Year Olds And Up.

1st   King Que Niagra    D J C Racing Stables    Gutierrez Mario

Well, there is nothing better than writing about great horses and this is certainly one of the greatest. He won his first race in 2019 a sprint state bred maiden but only ran twice as a two-year-old which may be the reason we are seeing him carrying his form through as a seven-year-old. His first turf race came in 2020 when he took the Manila over a mile beating On The Dot who turned out to be no slouch himself. It took him eight races to win again in 2021 but once again he could only manage one win in that year reaching the age of five as the winner of only four races from twenty-three starts. By this time DJC Racing Stables could’ve been getting frustrated, they had paid $200.000 to secure the horse from Aer Stables and whilst he had run some good races, he seemed to be a little inconsistent and was at best only breaking even in the bank account. To his credit the trainer stuck with him and as he turned that magic age of five, things started to come together. His first grade one success came in 2022 when he won the Man O War, the first of nine grade one successes. He has won the Man O War, Sword Dancer and Hirsch Turf Classic twice as well as the BC Turf last year and now the Pegasus World Turf Cup this year. The horse of the year in waiting I feel that he is as good if not better than ever and who would back against him winning another BC.

2nd=     Grand Opening        Riggins Racing      Husbands P

This is definitely a horse on the up and as he enters his five-year-old season, I can see him being a constant threat to the King. Fourth in the BC Mile last year I did feel he saw the trip out OK today but maybe the mile is the way to go, if only to avoid King Que Niagra in future. He ended up in a dead heat for second after a nice trip in transit and the trainer can certainly look forward to the rest of the season with him.

2nd=   Hawaiian Lord    Our Athletes     Prat F

His works have always suggested there is more to come than just the three wins, but he has been second or third nineteen times now and you do wonder whether he is always destined to be the bridesmaid. Having said that, this was a brave effort and he beat some very good horses so just maybe, at six, he could have his best year yet.

4th   Oh Brother    Spankys Barn    Rosario J

Proved his Patterson Canadian International win was no fluke after a disappointing effort in the BC and I really get the feeling this may be the most underrated horse in the finish. He has reached the magic age of five and since being bought at auction for just $45.000 he has shown that he can race with the best.

Categories: FEATURED STORIES, Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES