California Chrome’s owners have their eyes on an even-bigger prize after they roared to success in the Dubai World Cup.
The thoroughbred rebounded in style from last year’s horror run, bounding clear at a packed Meydan Racecourse on Saturday to claim the winner’s stake in the $10million event. That figure stands as the current world record, but plans are afoot for a more lucrative event in the United States.
Overtures have already been made by the Stronach Group about a proposed $12m race, to be called the Pegasus Championship, and majority owner Perry Martin was receptive to the idea.
He said: “The big target is the Breeders Cup (in November).
“We have also already been contacted about a race in January at Gulfstream (Pegasus Championship, to rotate annually between Santa Anita and Gulfstream parks), the $12m race they are trying to put together.
“If they put that together, we’ll go for that.
“In the immediate future, he flies back to the United States where he’ll be quarantined for two days in Chicago. Then he will van to Kentucky, where he will get a complete veterinary check up at Rood & Riddle.
“We’ll then find out how much time he needs off, if any. He’ll then get back in training and be ready for the second half of the year.”
A tumultuous spell had followed the disappointing runners-up spot in Dubai in 2015, a bruised cannon bone threatening his career prior to a winning return during January’s San Pasqual Stakes.
“Most of the year has been pretty boring, waiting for the horse to recuperate,” said Martin. “When you own horses, you have to learn to be patient and give them what they need.
“If it’s time, we give them that. That is what we did. He came back bigger, stronger and – it appears – two seconds fas- ter over the course.”
The five-year-old’s triumph with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard at the weekend made him the highest-earning throughbred in North American history, with approximately $12.5m banked.