The Pegasus World Cup Invitational held its inaugural running on Jan. 28, 2017.
The inaugural race offered a $12 million purse, the largest in the world, with $7 million going to the winner.
The Pegasus World Cup was envisioned by Frank Stronach, chairman of the Stronach Group. Stronach is the owner of Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park, and numerous other holdings in the horse racing industry.
The Pegasus World Cup Invitational held its inaugural running on Jan. 28, 2017.
The inaugural race offered a $12 million purse, the largest in the world, with $7 million going to the winner.
The Pegasus World Cup was envisioned by Frank Stronach, chairman of the Stronach Group. Stronach is the owner of Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park, and numerous other holdings in the horse racing industry.
The 1 1/8-mile race over Gulfstream Park’s main dirt track is open to 12 entries. The owners will equally share in all income from pari-mutuel handle, media rights, and sponsorships from the Pegasus World Cup. They can also sell, rent, or lease their entry.
The Pegasus World Cup replaced the Grade 1 Donn Handicap on Gulfstream Park's stakes schedule. In 2018, the purse of the race was increased to $16 million, and in 2019 it was lowered to $9 million after a companion turf stakes, the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, was introduced with a $7 million purse. For 2020, the Pegasus purse was reduced to $3 million and the entry fees were ended.
The Donn, held at the same distance and on the same surface, was won by such notable horses as Forego, Foolish Pleasure, Deputy Minister, Cigar, Skip Away, Medaglia d'Oro, Invasor, and Quality Road.