Global Sprint Challenge
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The Global Sprint Challenge is a Thoroughbred horse racing series inaugurated in 2005 as a series of six sprint races run across three racing jurisdictions in Australia, England and Japan. In 2006 the series expanded to seven races across four racing jurisdictions with the inclusion of a race in Hong Kong and in 2008 the series expanded to eight races when an additional race in England became part of the series.
- The Champion Sprinter trophy is awarded to the connections of the horse that accumulates 42 points or more in a single season, and participates in challenge races in at least three countries.
- The Global Sprint Challenge Champion is eligible to win a $US1,000,000 bonus for connections, provided the champion wins a minimum of three Group 1 races in the series in three different countries. Important changes to the series for 2009 will see the $US1,000,000 bonus being split $US750,000 to the owner and $US250,000 to the trainer and there is now no necessity to race in all four countries to be eligible for the bonus.
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[edit] Challenge History
2005 – Inauguration of six race series
2006 – Series expanded to seven races with the inclusion of the Hong Kong International Sprint
2006 – $US1,000,000 bonus incentive added to series
2008 – King's Stand Stakes upgraded to Group 1 from Group 2
2008 – Series expanded to eight races with the inclusion of the July Cup
2008 – The Age Classic replaces the Australia Stakes as the second Australian leg of the series
[edit] Global Sprint Challenge races
Lightning Stakes (G1) at Flemington Racecourse
King's Stand Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot
Golden Jubilee Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot
July Cup (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse
Centaur Stakes (G2) at Hanshin Racecourse
Sprinters Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse
The Age Classic (G1) at Flemington Racecourse
Hong Kong International Sprint (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse
[edit] The Challenge Winners
- 2005 – Cape of Good Hope
- 2006 – Takeover Target
- 2007 – Miss Andretti *
- 2008 – Apache Cat *
* Champion Sprinter trophy not awarded
