Runhappy Named Presenting Sponsor of Pegasus World Cup

The Stronach Group announced Dec. 21 that it has secured Runhappy  as the presenting sponsor for the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series, which will take place Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

On Dec. 14, the series announced the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1) will be run medication-free.

In 2015, Runhappy won six consecutive races, including the NYRA.com King's Bishop Stakes (G1), Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G3), TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), and Malibu Stakes (G1), without use of the common race-day anti-bleeding medication Lasix. He was later named the 2015 champion sprinter and was retired with seven wins in 10 starts, earning close to $1.5 million having never raced on medication. He was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., and occupies the same stall as the great Secretariat. Runhappy's first foals will be 2-year-olds of 2020.

"We are thrilled to have Runhappy as the presenting sponsor for this year's Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series," said Craig Fravel, TSG's CEO of racing. "The legacy of Runhappy coupled with this year's medication-free platform is a fitting partnership as we set a new competitive standard while featuring the finest Thoroughbreds in our game."

"Team Runhappy is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational stakes races," Runhappy owner Jim McIngvale said. "The Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series has become a highlight on the racing calendar, and to be the presenting sponsor for the 2020 medication-free stakes races is the perfect partnership for us as we honor the great Runhappy."

This year's medication-free format is consistent with the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities standards and will go one step further by giving back 2% of the purse winnings to Thoroughbred aftercare.

"I know we're facing competitive challenges from the Dubai World Cup and the Saudi Cup, but I am grateful that The Stronach Group has found a way to keep innovating the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series," said Bob Baffert, who trained Arrogate  to win the inaugural Pegasus World Cup Invitational in 2017. "It gives all of us a chance to keep our older, champion horses in training and competition here in the United States, which is great for the sport and for the fans."

"I find it an interesting concept, the Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series with no medication, and I'm excited to be part of it," Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella said. Mandella trains Omaha Beach , owned by Fox Hill Farms. Omaha Beach will retire after the 2020 Pegasus World Cup.

Team Runhappy and TSG also announced Saturday the creation of the Runhappy Matchmaker Series. The series will take place at Gulfstream Park in Florida, Santa Anita Park in California, and Pimlico Race Course in Maryland. All three tracks are owned by TSG. The winner of each race in the series will receive a free breeding—valued at over $25,000—to Runhappy.