In a landmark development connecting two of American racing’s marquee events, the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) will now form part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, officials from Breeders’ Cup Limited and 1/ST confirmed on Thursday.

The announcement means the 2026 Pegasus World Cup, set for January 24 at Gulfstream Park, will grant its winner an automatic berth into the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland Race Course on October 30–31, 2026. Along with the guaranteed entry, the victor’s connections will receive fully paid pre-entry and entry fees valued at $150,000, while the nominator of the winning horse earns a $10,000 bonus.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series encompasses 94 stakes races across 15 countries, each offering an automatic spot in the corresponding Breeders’ Cup event, along with travel incentives of $10,000 for North American qualifiers based outside Kentucky and $40,000 for international qualifiers.

Since its launch in 2017, the Pegasus World Cup has evolved into a premier racing and entertainment spectacle. Notably, six of its nine past winners have also captured Breeders’ Cup races — a record that underscores the natural link between the two high-profile series.

Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited, hailed the inclusion as a “perfect fit,” adding that the Challenge Series was designed to “celebrate and connect premier racing on a global stage.”

Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST, described the new alliance as “a gateway to the Breeders’ Cup Classic,” noting that the Pegasus World Cup’s 10th anniversary edition will strengthen engagement with fans, horsemen, and international audiences alike.

The 2026 Pegasus World Cup program, presented by 1/ST, will feature top-level racing and live entertainment, with NBC and Peacock broadcasting the action from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (ET).