Kentucky Derby 2024 Promises Horse Racing Exciting ‘Wild Card’ Entries – Everything You Need To Know

Kentucky Derby and the Royal Ascot have long held tremendous prestige in the horse racing milieu. While the Kentucky Derby is dubbed the ‘most exciting two minutes in sports,’ Royal Ascot takes a ‘special week’ with the King and Queen of England in attendance. For racing enthusiasts, a forged connection between the two would present the most thrilling and anticipatory event in the whole of the industry calendar.

The Ascot races, deeming the link true, recently unveiled the most exciting announcement. With the approach of the Kentucky Derby for 2024, Churchill Downs extended a hand of partnership with the British Jockey Club alongside Ascot Racecourse. Following along, the unforeseen act has put forth newer offers for the racers of the event, with the emergence of titillating wild cards in the offing.

Horse racing community witness a newer link

On May 4th, 2024, the Kentucky Derby will celebrate its 150th race, the longest continual-running sporting event in the US. To elevate the excitement for the awaited event, the Ascot Racecourse announced the partnership of the two with newer offers. The list included an entry for the racers of the Derby into Epsom and Royal alongside travel incentives. The announcement post on X explained that from May’s meet, “two races will offer ‘wild card’ entries for three races at #RoyalAscot.” 

This awaited horse racing link is also revealed to be reciprocal. Following US-based runners’ incentives, two horses will be given an entry and travel incentive for the Colonial Downs’ Arlington Million stakes. The Queen Anne and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes will fetch the equines reports Ascot Racecourse.

“We are very excited to be working with Churchill Downs and the UK Jockey Club on this exciting new initiative,” said Nick Smith, a personnel at the Jockey Club. “We have a rich modern history of American runners at Royal Ascot and their success always adds hugely to the meeting,” he further added. The established connection brings back the un-highlighted origin and links the Kentucky Derby holds.

 The origins of the Kentucky Derby – divulged

Kentucky Derby’s very origin could be attributed to the Epsom Derby. In 1872, Meriwether Lewis Clark attended the races in England that sparked an interest. Returning home, Meriwether wished to recreate a racing of his own. And hence, on May 17, 1875, the Louisville Jockey Club—now known as Churchill Downs—hosted the first Kentucky Derby with 15 horses.

Also Read: Most Memorable Moments of Horse Racing History

Gary Palmisano Jr, personnel at Churchill Downs, noted that it was a great chance to revisit the history considering the past. He further added that the partnership would serve as a good opportunity for owners and trainers; opening up gates for Europe’s prestigious horse racing turf races.

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