World’s richest horse race gets richer

MIAMI: The world’s richest horse race is about to get even richer after organisers confirmed a multi-million dollar boost to its purse on Wednesday.

The Pegasus World Cup Invitational, which took place for the first time this year at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida, will offer prize money of US$ 16 million (15 million euros) for its 2018 event, organisers said in a statement.

The race sees racehorse owners pay US$ 1 million each for one of the 12 places at the starting gate.

Race creator The Stronach Group said Wednesday it would now contribute an additional US$ 4 million in prize money for the race, which was won this year by the four-year- old Arrogate.

“The 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational surpassed our expectations and we believe took the sport of Thoroughbred racing to an exciting new level,” said Belinda Stronach, chairman of the Stronach Group.

“In 2018, we will bring an even bigger, more modern and unforgettable entertainment e x p e r ienc e t o a g lob a l audience.”

Next year’s race takes place on Jan 27. — AFP

SPANISH LA LIGA Results on Wednesday

Barcelona 3 Sevilla 0 Deportivo La Coruna 0 Granada 0 Alaves 0 Osasuna 1 Sporting Gijon 0 Malaga 1 Leganes 2 Real Madrid 4

STANDINGS

La Liga table after Wednesday’s matches ( played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Real Madrid 29 22 5 2 78 30 71 Barcelona 30 21 6 3 88 26 69 Atletico Madrid 30 18 7 5 55 23 61 ------------------------------------------------------Sevilla 30 17 7 6 52 37 58 ------------------------------------------------------Villarreal 30 15 9 6 42 23 51 Athletic Bilbao 30 15 5 10 39 33 50 ------------------------------------------------------Real Sociedad 30 15 4 11 43 41 49 Eibar 29 12 8 9 47 41 44 Espanyol 30 11 10 9 42 42 43 Celta Vigo 28 12 5 11 43 46 41 Alaves 29 10 10 9 29 36 40 Las Palmas 29 9 8 12 45 48 35 Valencia 29 9 6 14 41 51 33 Real Betis 30 8 7 15 32 47 31 Malaga 30 8 8 14 34 47 30 Deportivo 30 6 10 14 31 46 28 Leganes 30 7 8 15 25 46 27 ------------------------------------------------------Sporting Gijon 30 5 7 18 31 58 22 Granada 30 4 8 18 26 62 20 Osasuna 30 2 8 20 30 69 14

Note:

1st-3rd: Automatic Champions League qualification 4th: Champions League qualifying round 5th & 6th: Europa League qualification 18th-20th: Relegated

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA