1/ST, North America’s leading thoroughbred and pari-mutuel horse racing betting company, today announced a groundbreaking partnership with France Galop, the governing body of French horse racing.
This new initiative sees both parties come together to form a series of high-profile partnerships aimed at increasing international participation through a series of top quality graded competitions and circuit racing days around, starting with the $100,000 Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes on Preakness race day 149 at 1/ST’s Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland on May 18. The winner will automatically qualify to run in the Group 1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet Stakes worth €250,000 at Deauville on August 18. The Galorette winner will also receive a subsidized free riding tour to cover onward travel costs to France.
The overall aim is to establish a lasting link between the prestigious races in France and the valuable turf competitions at 1/ST tracks across North America, enhancing international reputation and prize funds. rewards of all participating competitions as well as increasing the number of athletes participating in these races. In turn, it will attract a wider international audience and boost global betting revenues.
This innovative partnership with France Galop leverages the natural synergies between the two powerhouses in the sport. Furthermore, it builds on similar global “gateway” partnerships that 1/ST has formed with Ascot Racecourse (through Gulfstream Park’s Royal Palm series for Royal Ascot Juvenile Race) and the UK Jockey Club around the Group 1 July Cup and Eclipse Stakes, now combined as qualifiers for the newly minted California Crown, which takes place at Santa Park Anita on September 28, marking California’s richest racing day.
An automatic qualifier for France Galop’s Prix Jean Romanet, the Gallorette Stakes also makes headlines with its premium undercard for Preakness 149. This year’s Preakness 149 race day will be the most lucrative in the event’s history with 3, $3 million in prize money, highlighted by running the 149th Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel in the Triple Crown, with the purse increased by another $2 million. These enhanced purses reflect 1/ST’s vision for the future of the highest standards of world-class Thoroughbred horse racing, combined with unique and enhanced guest experiences and opportunities exciting for owners, trainers and bettors to usher in a new era for racing.
Aidan Butler, Chairman of 1/ST, said: “1/ST is delighted to create another great global partnership, breaking new ground in France with our friends at France Galop. This Gallorette-Romanet route is an interesting test for hopefully more reciprocity races in France, considering France Galop’s rich heritage of hosting many prestigious turf competitions. the best prices in Europe at courses such as Deauville, Chantilly and Longchamp.
“We look forward to announcing more global racing partnerships in the coming year. Whether we are strengthening the brand, increasing horse recruitment or driving offshore betting dollars, It’s time for more innovative moments on the global racing scene.”
Henri Pouret, Managing Director at France Galop, added: “We are delighted to partner with 1/ST on this exciting initiative to introduce the Preakness 149 to many new and adds some welcome transatlantic flavor to the Group. The 1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet Stakes, now in its 20th year, attracts the best middle-distance horses in the business.
“The travel bonus is a great incentive to facilitate stress-free long-distance travel, helping to ensure an excellent global field of competitors for the Romanet and proving that racing is The sport’s worldwide appeal should not be a barrier to worldwide participation, yet.” in France or the United States. We look forward to welcoming winner Gallorette to Deauville later this summer and continuing the success of US-trained horses at other elite events in Europe, such as Royal Ascot.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If you have any questions, please contact the organization that produced the release.
