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Asian Mile Challenge expanded for 2006

The 2006 Asian Mile Challenge will expand to feature four major prizes worth a potential $12.6 million in purses and bonuses, racing officials announced in Tokyo on Saturday. This doubles the scope of the series which was first contested this year and originally embraced the Champion's Mile (HK-G1) in Hong Kong and the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1) in Japan. The series, open to horses from all over the globe, will begin earlier in 2006 and will branch out to venues in Australia and Dubai. Australia will host the first leg, the $527,000 Futurity S. (Aus-G1), on March 4 at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. The action then shifts to Nad al Sheba for the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) on March 25, Dubai World Cup Day. Run at a distance of nearly nine furlongs, the Dubai Duty Free is the only race in the series that is not a mile. Hong Kong will stage the third leg, the May 7 Champion's Mile at Sha Tin, worth $1,033,000. The series culminates in the $2 million Yasuda Kinen, scheduled for June 4 at Tokyo Racecourse.

In addition to the prize money on offer, a bonus structure is in place to encourage ongoing participation in the series. If a horse sweeps all four events, he will reap an extra $4 million windfall; a three-time victor will be rewarded with $2 million; and the winner of two legs stands to receive a $1 million bonus.

"I strongly believe that horse racing must have such international development in order to obtain a wider following and more support from our fans," said Masayuki Takahashi, the Japan Racing Association's president and chief executive. "The Asian Mile Challenge will be a vehicle to share its spirit and excitement with fans by having the world's top horses cross the borders and compete in great international events."

Lawrence Wong, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, underscored that point.

"The competition from other sports is intense, but through the combined efforts of these leading Thoroughbred nations, we will rise to the challenge and continue to position racing as the King of Sports," he said.

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