June 29, 1999. Copyright, 1999, Graphic News. All rights reserved

ALL EYES ON ASCOT
By Midge Todhunter

LONDON, June 29, Graphic News: THE spotlights of the 
international horseracing fraternity will focus on Britain in 
July.
 The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot 
on July 24 will be the first race in the newly-formed World 
Racing Series to be staged over the next eight months in a quest 
to find the world champion racehorse.
After three years of summit meetings the various racing 
authorities across the globe have agreed terms and conditions 
which will allow horses of true international valour to 
accumulate points during the nine-leg championship, culminating 
with the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2000.
There is no finer place than the regal turfs of Ascot to launch 
the new world championships, with SaturdayÕs particular race 
widely regarded as the all-age mile-and-a-half championship of 
Europe.
Ascot spokesman, Douglas Erskine-Crum said: ÒThe eyes of racing 
throughout the world will be on Ascot and it will be an historic 
day in the 300-year-old Royal Racecourse. The World Series is the 
most important step forward in the development of international 
racing our sport has ever seen and demonstrates a support for 
racing worldwide.Ó
Next year Phase II will see the Series expanded to twelve top 
world races, encompassing four further events including FranceÕs 
Prix de lÕArc de Triomphe, currently engaged in seeking a sponsor 
and addressing other marketing issues.
The prodigious growth in the number of racehorses travelling 
abroad to compete on the world stage has been quite remarkable 
during the last 20 years. The new World Series will link these 
top international races and raise the profile of racing on a 
global scale, say the organisers, and market the sport into the 
next century by reflecting other World Cup sports like soccer, 
rugby and cricket.
/ENDS