Pegasus World Cup kickstarts 2024 racing season with improved global distribution

European riders Dettori, Moore, Murphy and Egan target the $3 million international contest

This year’s Pegasus World Cup presented by Baccarat (G1) has attracted the strongest cohort of jockeys with Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore, Oisin Murphy and David Egan joining Gulfstream Park for the championship meeting.

Held in Miami on Saturday, 27th January, the $5.3 million raceday features seven graded contests culminating with the $3 million Pegasus World Cup. Celebrating its eighth year as the US’s premier entertainment and horse racing event, 1/ST have excelled in redefining the sporting experience with the recruitment of Grammy award-winning Scottish DJ and record producer, Calvin Harris to perform after racing. 

The on-course action will be available to watch in over 135 territories through broadcast distribution courtesy of HBA Media. Global audiences will receive a 90-minute bespoke on-air package live at 16:30 local time / 21:30 – 23:00 GMT.

The headlining broadcast agreements for the Pegasus World Cup are:

• Virgin Media maintain their commitment to international racing by bringing the event to their linear channels in Ireland.
• Viaplay will broadcast the event across eight territories in Scandinavia, the Baltics and the Netherlands. 
• Audiences across Central and South America can cheer on contenders via ESPN Latam available in 50 territories. 
• WeDoSports will show the event on their digital channel to audiences in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 
• Sony Pictures Networks have retained their broadcast agreement which provides the Pegasus World Cup with a 700 million audience across India and the wider subcontinent. 
• Global Eagle will debut the raceday to its cruise ship clients to ensure visibility across the seas.
• Sport24 will make available the US event to 11 international airlines from Emirates to Etihad; and Singapore Airways.

A further collection of networks will showcase the 2024 Pegasus World Cup presented by Baccarat. Alongside the host broadcaster, NBC (USA), international coverage includes: 

• Polsat (Poland)
• SilkNet (Georgia)
• SuperSport (Africa)
• SportsMax (Caribbean)
• Entain (Australia)
• Wasu.tv (China)
• FanCode (India)
• TransVision (Indonesia).

America’s latest recruit, legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, has secured eight rides on Pegasus World Cup raceday and rides Crupi for local trainer Todd Plether in the principal race. The trainer reports that the talented four-year old, who has won three of his last four outings, is putting it all together after showing immaturity early in his career. 

Frankie Dettori adds: “I love the Pegasus World Cup meeting – it’s where my international chapter formed following on last year’s experience. In 2023, I came out here (States) to enjoy the winter and loved every minute of it and when I kept winning back home (in the UK), I knew I wasn’t ready to retire and needed a new challenge. This weekend marks a month of being a US-based jockey and I hope to capitalise on the main stage this Saturday.”

Frank Sale, Managing Director of HBA Media, said: 

“It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with the innovative team at 1/ST. We are delighted that the Pegasus World Cup, confidently labelled America’s most fashionable raceday, continues to grow international audiences on and off the track.”

Gregg Colvin, Chief Executive Officer of Content, 1/ST, added:

“We are thrilled, to be working again with HBA for our international distribution. This has been our strongest year ever with more countries across the globe getting access to this unique horse racing event. 

“With great racing and large fields sizes, coupled with the right mix of music, fashion and entertainment, we are excited to showcase how Pegasus World Cup has cemented itself as the premier luxury sporting event that only 1/ST can bring.”

ENDS

Press contacts: Hannah Tufnell / hannah@hbamedia.tv / +44 (0) 7971 598 287

About 1/ST

The Stronach Group is a world-class technology, entertainment, media, content and real estate development company with Thoroughbred horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering at the core. The company's consumer facing brand 1/ST (pronounced "First") powers The Stronach Group's forward-thinking 1/ST RACING & GAMING, 1/ST CONTENT, 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, 1/ST EXPERIENCE and 1/ST PROPERTIES businesses, while advocating for and driving the 1/ST HORSE CARE mission. 1/ST represents The Stronach Group's continued movement toward redefining Thoroughbred horse racing and the ecosystem that drives it. 1/ST RACING & GAMING drives the best-in-class horse racing operations and gaming offerings at the company's premier racetracks and training centers including: Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs (California); Gulfstream Park – home of the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center (Florida); the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course - home of the legendary Preakness Stakes, Rosecroft Raceway and Bowie Training Center (Maryland). 1/ST CONTENT is the operating group for 1/ST's media and content companies including: Monarch Content Management, Elite, TSG Global Wagering Solutions (GWS) and XBTV. 1/ST TECHNOLOGY is horse racing's largest racing and gaming technology company offering world-class products via its AmTote, Xpressbet, 1/ST BET, XB SELECT, XB NET, PariMAX and Betmix brands. 1/ST EXPERIENCE blends the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through innovative content development, elevated national and local venue management and hospitality, strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and procurement development. 1/ST PROPERTIES is responsible for the development of the company's live, work and play communities surrounding its racing venues including: The Village at Gulfstream Park (Florida) and Paddock Pointe (Maryland). As the advocate for critical industry reforms and by making meaningful investments into aftercare programs for retired horses and jockeys, 1/ST HORSE CARE represents The Stronach Group's commitment to achieving the highest level of horse and rider care and safety standards in Thoroughbred horse racing on and off the track. For more information, please visit www.1st.com or follow @1ST_racing on Twitter or @1stracing on Instagram and Facebook.

About HBA Media:

• HBA Media provide multiple live international horseracing packages to broadcasters as well as umbrella deals which include the co-ordination of programme delivery, daily management and troubleshooting.
  
  
• HBA Media’s aim is to reposition horseracing to be competitive with the likes of football, rugby, and cricket in the world of sports broadcasting.
  
  
• HBA Media is proud to work with a whole host of prestigious racing federations and major global networks including Ascot Racecourse Limited, the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, France Galop, Eurosport, Dubai Media Incorporated, Abu Dhabi Media, TVG, The Japan Racing Association, Singapore Turf Club, The German Jockey Club, The German Tote, Italian Racing, Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Racing Club, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, NYRA, The New Zealand Racing Board, Racecourse Media Group, The Stronach Group, Breeders' Cup, Phumelea Gaming, the Saudi Cup and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.