Saratoga Derby offers automatic bid to Cox Plate in Australia

The New York Racing Association and Moonee Valley Racing Club extended their partnership, announcing the winner of the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Saratoga will receive an invitation to the US$3.39 million Cox Plate (G1).

Winning connections of this year’s Saratoga Derby, which was established in 2019 and is contested over 1 3/16 miles, will be afforded an automatic berth into the 2024 Cox Plate, with generous subsidies for transportation and accommodation on offer.

In 2021, Joseph O’Brien became the first trainer to achieve the historic double with globetrotting Irish-bred superstar State of Rest, who won the Saratoga Derby before venturing to Melbourne to win the Cox Plate, defeating subsequent winner Anamoe by a short half head.

State of Rest later returned to Europe and won the Prix Ganay (G1) in France and the Prince of Wales’s (G1) at Royal Ascot, accomplishing the remarkable feat of winning four Group 1 races in four countries before retiring to stud at Newgate Farm where he still resides.

Head of racing Charlotte Mills said the MVRC are keen to grow the relationship with NYRA, with international participation in the Cox Plate a key driver for future success.

“When assessing the strength of the Cox Plate in recent years, there is a very definitive correlation between international participation, strong race ratings and strong wagering numbers,” Mills said.

“The Saratoga Derby brings together a talented contingent of northern hemisphere 3-year-olds each year, and we are hoping to see more of them follow the path paved by Joseph O’Brien and State of Rest.”

“NYRA is pleased to be able to tie the Saratoga Derby to a race as prestigious as the Cox Plate,” said NYRA senior vice president of racing and operations Andrew Offerman. “We are always looking for ways to connect our most important races to other races of national and international significance and we appreciate the opportunity to work with the Moonee Valley Racing Club on this endeavor.”

Entries for the 2024 Saratoga Derby will be taken on Sunday, July 28.