The Global Sprint Challenge (GSC) has been enhanced with the addition of
Singapore’s premier turf sprint, the International Sprint (Mal-G1), beginning in
2011.
The introduction of the six-furlong event, to be held at Kranji on May 22,
takes to nine the number of races forming the $10.8 million series.
The GSC will be exclusively run at Group 1 level in 2011 following the
substitution of Japan’s Centaur Stakes (Jpn-G2) with the Takamatsunomiya Kinen
(Jpn-G1) in that country on March 27.
The Takamatsunomiya Kinen is held annually at Japan’s Chukyo Racecourse, but
with the track under renovation in 2011, the race will be held next year at
Hanshin.
“The International Sprint has proven itself a world class contest with
winners from France, Australia and Hong Kong including Global Sprint Challenge
stalwarts Takeover Target and Sacred Kingdom, and is a natural addition to the
international series for turf sprinters,” GSC Chairman Leigh Jordon said.
“Two Hong Kong-trained horses and one from Australia came to Royal Ascot
after the (International Sprint) last year and we hope to see a similar pattern
in 2011, with Singapore’s own star sprinter, Rocket Man (Montjeu [Ire]), among
those at the top our target list,” added Nick Smith, Head of International
Racing at Ascot.
Any horse that wins three races in three different countries outside its own
racing jurisdiction will collect a $1 million bonus to be split 75 percent to
the owners and 25 percent to the trainer.
The 2011 GSC commences with the first of two Australian legs, the Lightning
S. (Aus-G1) at Flemington on February 19.
It then moves to Japan and Singapore respectively for the two new legs,
before continuing in the United Kingdom with the King’s Stand S. (Eng-G1),
Golden Jubilee S. (Eng-G1) and July Cup (Eng-G1) over the summer.
The GSC returns to Japan on October 2 for the Sprinters S. (Jpn-G1) at
Nakayama Racecourse, before making its second stop at Flemington for the
Patinack Farm Classic (Aus-G1) on November 5.
The series will again reach its culmination in Hong Kong on December 11 with
the Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1) at Sha Tin.