RACING:Kempton has announced the creation of a race next spring guaranteeing the winner a place in the Kentucky Derby.
Organisers of the nine-furlong Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes, to be run on March 18 and worth €100,000, have added a further
€125,000 bonus if the winner actually goes on to compete in the Triple Crown event at Churchill Downs in May.
The race, for three-year-olds only, is a mark-up of an existing conditions race and received praise and potential support from many leading trainers.
Dermot Weld, who has won the Belmont Stakes and many other races in America, said: "It is a great initiative created by both Churchill Downs and Kempton
Park.
"If I were to have the right horse for the job, I would most definitely target the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes as a qualifying race ahead of the Race for
the Roses."
Aidan O'Brien added: "I think it is a great idea and hopefully we will have runners in it."
John Gosden and Sir Mark Prescott also welcomed the innovation, which has been designed to overcome the problems European horses have in trying to qualify
for the Derby.
The 20 starting berths have previously been allocated to those with the highest Graded or Group stakes earnings worldwide.
Amy Starkey, managing director of the track, said: "Kempton Park is delighted to be in partnership with Churchill Downs.
"The establishment of the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes represents a fantastic opportunity to increase the international profile of Kempton as well as promoting the Kentucky Derby to European-based owners and trainers."