Yoshito Yahagi preparing Saudi Cup winner for G1s at Goodwood and York.
Tuesday 25th April, 2023 – Leading Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi has revealed that his Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa will head to the UK this summer to contest the G1 Sussex Stakes (2nd August) at Goodwood and G1 Juddmonte International Stakes (16th August) at York, both key fixtures in the World Pool calendar.
The Sussex Stakes is set to be Panthalassa's fourth appearance at a World Pool fixture, having run on Dubai World Cup night in 2022 and 2023, as well as at The Saudi Cup this year.
World Pool was in operation for the first time at The Saudi Cup in February, where Panthalassa produced a gutsy front-running performance to win the world's most valuable race at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh.
The son of Lord Kanaloa became the first Japanese-trained winner of the race and the historic success saw the six-year-old win the World Pool Moment of the Day, with his groom Yasuhiro Ikeda collecting a prize of HK$40,000.
A trip to the UK will mark the fifth country Panthalassa has raced in, following Japan, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
World Pool has seen big turnover growth in Q1 of 2023 already, with year-on-year turnover for the quarter increasing by 70 percent to HK$1.27bn, and international challengers such as Panthalassa will only strengthen the appeal ahead of the summer fixtures, which are largely focused in the UK and Ireland.
Both Sussex Stakes Day and International Stakes Day saw World Pool turnover increases in 2022, up 36 percent to HK$287.5 million (approx. £29.4 million) and 16 percent to HK$275 million (approx. £28 million) respectively, on the previous year.
