Nations Pride looks to add to G1 haul in Pegasus World Cup Turf

Nations Pride returns to the United States in search of a fifth G1 success in the Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, 25 January.

The globe-trotting son of Teofilo has made successful visits to North America for each of the past three years, including winning the G1 Saratoga Derby and G3 Jockey Club Derby in 2022 as well as the 2023 G1 Canadian International.

Nations Pride also captured the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis in Germany in 2023 before spending the majority of last year in the US.

Having finished third behind Silver Knott in the G2 Man O War Stakes, the Charlie Appleby-trained homebred was runner-up to Measured Time in the G1 Manhattan Stakes before comfortably taking the G1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs.

He kicks off his six-year-old campaign after failing to give his true running in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in mid-November, a race in which he finished seventh in 2023.

Charlie Appleby said: “Nations Pride was disappointing in Bahrain, but I think you can put a line through both his runs there. He’s back on a left-handed track here and looks to have conditions to suit at Gulfstream Park. He goes into this in great shape and can hopefully run to the same level he showed in the Arlington Million. We are popping cheekpieces on just because he is dropping back to nine furlongs and we want to keep him sharp. He looks a worthy favourite and the one they have to beat.”

Stable-mate Bold Act has enjoyed significant success in North America of his own and the 2023 G3 Sycamore Stakes victor lines up in the G3 William L McKnight Stakes on the same card.

After an easy success in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold at Meydan in March, Bold Act placed in three of his four subsequent appearances in the US, including a nose defeat when attempting to win the Sycamore Stakes for a second time.

Charlie Appleby added: “Bold Act is drawn wide in 11 but it shouldn’t be a negative as he tends to come from behind in his races and we know he stays well. He looks in great nick after a nice break and will be hard to beat if he runs to his best.”

Beautiful Love, who goes in the G3 La Prevoyante Stakes, also headed to North America on the back of a Meydan win last year, with the Siyouni filly going on to more glory in the G3 Jockey Club Oaks at Aqueduct.

The four-year-old ran another fine race in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar in November, in which she went down by a length in fourth.