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The Jockey Club and Ascot Racecourse have forged a new link with Churchill Downs in Kentucky, granting two ‘wild card’ entries for the Epsom Derby and Epsom Oaks in 2024.
A filly from the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes, held at Churchill Downs on 3 May, will be given an entry and a travel incentive for the Epsom Oaks, held four weeks later on 31 May. The same entry and travel incentive will be granted to a colt in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes, run during the Kentucky Derby card on 4 May – this will apply to the Epsom Derby, held on 1 June.
Both Ascot Racecourse and Jockey Club Racecourses are keen to form a connection between the UK and the turf season in the US, encouraging runners to travel between the two nations. With this in mind, Ascot Racecourse have granted 'wild card' entries to three races during the Royal Ascot meeting in 2024 – the Queen Anne Stakes, Prince Of Wales's Stakes and King Charles III Stakes – which will be granted to horses racing during the Kentucky Derby meeting in the Twin Spires Turf Spring Stakes and the Old Forester Turf Classic Stakes.
With all parties keen to initiate international competition, a runner from the Queen Anne Stakes and the Prince of Wales's Stakes will be given an entry and travel incentive for the Group 1 Arlington Million Stakes whilst a filly or mare from the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes will be granted the same entry and incentive for the Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes, both held in mid-August.
Winners of the above races will receive the 'wild card' entry and travel incentive, but in cases where connections choose not to take up the invite, the racecourses may transfer the package to placed horses.
"We're delighted to develop these links with races at the Kentucky Derby Meeting in its 150th year," said Matt Woolston, Assistant Racing and International Racing Director at The Jockey Club.
"A trip to Churchill Downs is one that should be on the bucket list for every racing fan, the world over. The Kentucky Derby itself can trace its origin back to Epsom Downs in 1780 when Diomed won the very first Derby and we are proud to reinforce this historic link.
"We look forward to welcoming American runners to the Betfred Oaks and Betfred Derby. Runners who perform well in the Edgewood Stakes and the American Turf will come to Epsom Downs with a fighting chance and it will be fascinating to see how they fare.
"These historic races already have an international reputation, and we want to welcome more and more international runners in the years to come."
Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said: "We are very excited to be working with Churchill Downs and the UK Jockey Club on this exciting new initiative.
"We were very pleased to play our part hosting the Churchill team at Royal Ascot last year, with the Kentucky Derby trophy on display as they built up to this important 150th running of the world's greatest dirt race.
"We have a rich modern history of American runners at Royal Ascot and their success always adds hugely to the meeting - with NBC covering the event all week, the Saturday on the main network channel, hopefully this innovative link up of races will add a new dimension to their and ITV's coverage."