NBC Sports Group and The Stronach Group announced today an agreement giving NBC exclusive U.S. media rights to the Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 28, 2017. This January marks the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational, a 1 1/8-mile race that is currently targeted by Dubai World Cup and Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome. The race offers the largest purse of any Thoroughbred race in the world.

The race, hosted by The Stronach Group’s Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., is the vision of The Stronach Group founder Frank Stronach and exemplifies the organization’s commitment to modernizing and elevating the sport of horse racing for the next generation of fans while providing lucrative opportunities for Thoroughbred owners.

NBC will air a live 90-minute telecast from Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017. All coverage will be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. As the home of horse racing, NBC Sports Group’s presentation of The Pegasus World Cup Invitational will complement its exclusive, long-term media agreements for all of the Triple Crown races – Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes – the Breeders’ Cup, and the newly-acquired Royal Ascot.

The innovative Pegasus World Cup Invitational is restricted to 12 horses and is the first event of its kind in horse racing. Twelve owners have reserved a spot in the starting gate for $1 million. They can race, lease, share a starter, or sell their place in the gate. The owners will share equally in the net income from betting, media rights and sponsorships. The winner of the race will earn a world-record $7 million.