The Pegasus World Cup is one of the most lucrative thoroughbred horse races, with a prize purse of $3 million. It is run at Gulfstream Park and always brings together top horses and their trainers, with all competing for the coveted title. But one trainer’s surprise decision this year has shifted attention to horse welfare, a topic rarely highlighted in such prestigious events.

While many trainers may have pushed their horses to race despite minor injuries or concerns, a rare decision for one trainer at the Pegasus World Cup shows the change that’s now coming in the horse-riding world. Despite a clean bill of health, the trainer had scratched a star horse before post time—a prudent move that put caution ahead of competition. In a sport often defined by dollars and cents, animal welfare seems suddenly paramount.

Rare trainer move reflects expanding emphasis on animal welfare

The decision by trainer Harold Ladouceur to scratch Vitality from the Pegasus World Cup has raised eyebrows across the racing world despite being vet-cleared for it. Such a choice is rare in high-stakes horse races, let alone such a race with a prize as big as $3 million. This rare move will, however, focus on a wider trend in the sport toward the welfare of the animals.

Although the integrity of Vitality was not considered to be in serious jeopardy, the decision by Ladouceur reflects a growing understanding that the welfare of an animal must always come first before pressures to compete, even at a high level. The approach is unusual but increasingly relevant in horse racing, where it’s all about the horse’s health and safety. In opting to exclude Vitality from the race, Ladouceur sends an unequivocal signal that may indicate how the sport could evolve in such a way as to give greater consideration to humane treatment, perhaps setting new precedents into which decisions can be set for the future as the industry finds a balance between competition and concern for the horses.

While the veterinarian pronounced the injury far from serious, Ladouceur preferred not to risk it, just showing that concern for horses’ well-being comes first in him. Such a move in the sport driven by victories and multibillion-dollar purses is indicative of the shift by some toward valuing horse welfare first, therefore setting an animal’s health over competition in events as towering as the $3-million Pegasus World Cup.

The 2025 Pegasus World Cup: odds and contenders of the horse race

With all the buzz surrounding Vitality’s absence from the race, the 2025 Pegasus World Cup still promises to be one of the year’s most competitive races with numerous top entrants. Locked, at 5-2, is the favorite in the race for trainer Todd Pletcher. Locked is coming off a strong performance in the 2024 Cigar Mile, and his reputation puts him at the top of the odds.

But not far up his tail and coming in firm as a rival at 3-1, the competitor from White Abarrio, so many believe he is there to give serious competition for the hot favorite, Locked Above. The next two horses rounding out the Breeders’ Cup Classic field are a pair of competitive entries: Mystik Dan is at odds of 8-1; Saudi Crown is currently listed at a 9-2 mark while running some incredibly solid horse races to date.

The scratch of Vitality has also changed the odds; Mixto stands at 10-1, and Newgrange stands at 20-1, proving just how fluid betting is pre-event. In a full field of 12 horses, the 2025 Pegasus World Cup will be a thrilling race for fans to witness.

The decision by trainer Harold Ladouceur to scratch Vitality from the $3 million Pegasus World Cup has cast a rare spotlight on one of those moments in racing when the interests of the horse must come before the ambition of victory. While this year’s Pegasus is still full of many of the best, Vitality’s story puts into perspective what really should be considered success with horse racing: the health and safety of the horses themselves.