1/ST and Goodwood Racecourse announced an initiative Jan. 20 that will see a reciprocal partnership between 1/ST-owned racecourses in North America and Goodwood Racecourse in the United Kingdom.
This new partnership will see horses gain automatic entry following success at the Pegasus World Cup meeting at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25, and at Goodwood Racecourse's five-day Goodwood Festival.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1T) winner in 2025 will be granted automatic entry to the 2025 running of the Sussex Stakes (G1). Likewise, the victor of the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) will gain automatic entry to the Nassau Stakes (G1) in 2025.
Incentives for horses that win the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Turf and Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf are £25,000 (approx. US$30,761) for horses trained outside of Europe; free entry into their reciprocal races; and accommodation and hospitality at the Goodwood Festival.
Additionally, the winner of this year's £1M (approx. US$1.2M) Sussex Stakes will gain automatic entry to the Pegasus World Cup Turf in 2026, and the winner of the Nassau Stakes will gain automatic entry to the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf in 2026.
Winning horses in the Sussex and Nassau Stakes will each earn a $25,000 travel allowance; free entry into their reciprocal race at the 2026 Pegasus Word Cup meet; VIP Hospitality at the Pegasus World Cup race day; and accommodation and hospitality at the Goodwood Festival.
This new partnership will create an easily accessible pathway for horses to compete both in North America and the United Kingdom and help to encourage top-tier racehorses to travel and increase international participation at both fixtures—while also bolstering elite fields for global audiences and deeper fan engagement.
Aidan Butler, president of 1/ST: "Thanks again to our friends at Goodwood Racecourse as our partnership enters its second year. We can't wait to see how our Pegasus World Cup Turf winners fare on the other side of the pond and look forward to welcoming the victors of the Qatar Sussex Stakes and Qatar Nassau Stakes back to Gulfstream Park in late January 2026 for one of the most lucrative race days on the East Coast.
"These reciprocal pathways mark the latest strides in 1/ST's bid to broaden the appeal and international participation in the world's major races. We've already seen such incentives reap immediate rewards when Crimson Advocate won at Royal Ascot in 2023, having punched her automatic spot via our Royal Palm juvenile series at Gulfstream Park. Now, Miami can hopefully work its magic again with the Qatar Goodwood Festival!"
Edward Arkell, director of racing at Goodwood Racecourse: "We are thrilled to announce this fantastic new initiative, and I would like to thank 1/ST for their enthusiasm and support. By pairing two of our most prestigious races with a pair of turf races at the Pegasus World Cup meeting, we are confident that we have unlocked a well-scheduled gateway.
"This partnership also highlights the importance of collaborating with the best horse racing in the world and allows us the opportunity to showcase the obvious benefits of working alongside the North American horse racing circuit."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
