News

Breeders Cup opens up world stage

9th Mar 2010

The Daily Telegraph - Brent Zerafa - Sunday, 7 March 2010

AUSTRALIA'S premier speedsters could soon do battle on a new frontier - the global stage.

The winner of the T.J. Smith Stakes will gain automatic entry to one of America's greatest sprints - the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint.

Royal Ascot and Hong Kong are the popular options for trainers wanting to test their charges on the international stage, but the lure of big money and performing before a new audience may see America become an attractive option.

The Australian Jockey Club will today announce that the Group One T.J. Smith Stakes, run at Royal Randwick on April 4, has been included in the Breeders Cup Challenge series, which may also lead to international runners descending on Sydney to secure their spot in the $US1 million race.

As a result, T.J. Smith prizemoney has been increased to $500,000 and the Breeders Cup will tip in another $US50,000 owners premium.

Acting AJC chief executive officer Darren Pearce is delighted with the arrangement which will help boost the club's vision to transform the T.J. Smith into the sprint championship of Australian racing.

"The Breeders Cup Turf Sprint is the grand final of US turf sprint racing," he said.

"Now the AJC is an integral part of the Breeders Cup, giving Australian owners and trainers the opportunity to compete on the world stage.

"In this era of international breeding and horse trade, the globalisation of racing will continue to become more prevalent."