The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) have extended their partnership in 2024, announcing the winner of the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) on Aug. 3 at Saratoga Race Course will receive an invitation to the AUD$5 million Cox Plate (G1).
Winning connections of this year’s Saratoga Derby, which was established in 2019 and is contested over 1 3/16 miles, will get an automatic berth into the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, with generous subsidies for transportation and accommodation on offer.
In 2021, Joseph O’Brien became the first trainer to achieve the historic double with globetrotting superstar State of Rest , who won the Saratoga Derby before venturing to Melbourne to win the Cox Plate in a photo finish.
State of Rest returned to Europe and won the Prix Ganay (G1) in France and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, accomplishing the remarkable feat of winning four top-level races in four different countries. He retired to stud at Australia’s Newgate Farm, where he still resides.
MVRC head of racing Charlotte Mills said the MVRC is keen to grow the relationship with NYRA, with international participation in the Cox Plate a key driver for future success.
“When assessing the strength of the Cox Plate in recent years, there is a very definitive correlation between international participation, strong race ratings, and strong wagering numbers.
“The Saratoga Derby brings together a talented contingent of Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds each year, and we are hoping to see more of them follow the path paved by Joseph O’Brien and State of Rest.”
“NYRA is pleased to be able to tie the Saratoga Derby to a race as prestigious as the Cox Plate,” said NYRA racing & operations executive Andrew Offerman. “We are always looking for ways to connect our most important races to other races of national and international significance and we appreciate the opportunity to work with the Moonee Valley Racing Club on this endeavor.”
Entries for the Saratoga Derby will be taken on Sunday, July 28.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
