World Racing Championships Enters Phase II With 2 New Races

World Racing Championships chairman James E "Ted" Bassett III announced Saturday that the series will undertake Phase II that includes the addition of the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Singapore Airlines International Cup to the championships in 2002.

Bassett said the agreements with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Singapore Turf Club adding those two races in the first in a series of announcements as part of Phase II. "We are delighted to welcome these prestigious races to the Championship," Basset said.

Godolphin Racing's Fantastic Light was the top point earner in each of the first two years of the world championships. The World Series will start Phase II with 14 races in 11 countries and four continents with one annual world champion.

The Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I) is scheduled for Sunday, April 21, at 1 1/4 miles on turf. The group I Singapore Airlines International Cup, also at 1 1/4 miles on turf, is scheduled to be renewed Saturday, May 11, 2002.

Both races will be included in the 2002 World Series TV World Feed, which will broadcast to 200 countries with a potential audience of one billion viewers.

"We are excited by these top quality international races representing the first announcement for our ambitious plans for the future of the World Series," said Nick Clarke, executive director of the World Racing Championship Ltd. "We would like to pay particular tribute to Emirates Airline and the authorities in Dubai for their partnership and friendship in launching the first stage of the World Series 1999 to 2001. They have given us an outstanding foundation for the future. We will make an announcement about future sponsorship in the New Year."

WORLD SERIES 2002 SCHEDULE

Dubai World Cup , sponsored by Emirates
Nad Al Sheba, Dubai
Saturday 23rd March

Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup
Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Sunday 21st April

Singapore Airlines International Cup
Kranji, Singapore
Saturday 11th May

King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes,
Sponsored by De Beers
Ascot, England
Saturday 27th July

Arlington Million
Chicago, USA
Saturday 17th August

Grosser Preis von Baden
Baden Baden, Germany
Sunday 1st September

Ireland The Food Island Irish Champion Stakes
Leopardstown, Ireland
Saturday 7th September

Canadian International
Toronto, Canada
Sunday 29th September

Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere
Longchamp, France
Sunday 6th October

The Carlton Draught Cox Plate
Moonee Valley, Australia
Saturday 26th October

Breeders' Cup Turf
Chicago, USA
Saturday 26th October

Breeders' Cup Classic
Chicago, USA
Saturday 26th October

Japan Cup
Nakayama, Tokyo
Sunday 24th November

Hong Kong Cup
Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Sunday 15th December