The winner of the G2 Sumbe Prix Kergorlay will now be granted automatic entry into the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup as part of a partnership between France Galop and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).The Prix Kergorlay, which takes place at Deauville in August, joins the GII Belmont Gold Cup in the United States and the Ebor Handicap in Britain as the only Golden Ticket qualifiers for the Melbourne Cup held outside of Australia.In 2010, the Alain de Royer-Dupré-trained Americain (Dynaformer) became the first horse to complete the Prix Kergorlay/Melbourne Cup double, while Protectionist (Monsun) also won both races in 2014 for Andreas Wöhler.Henri Pouret, deputy managing director of France Galop, said, “France Galop is delighted to deepen its partnership with the Victoria Racing Club, which now includes the Sumbe Prix Kergorlay as part of the route to the Lexus Melbourne Cup.“Run over 3,000 metres at the height of the Deauville Barrière Meeting in August, the Group 2 becomes the first race in continental Europe and the first European Group race to offer a Golden Ticket entry to one of the most iconic races in the world.“This confirms the unique status of the Sumbe Prix Kergorlay, which has a long-standing historical connection with the Melbourne Cup, built over many years by horses that have gone on to compete in the prestigious Flemington event, including Americain, winner of the Kergorlay and the first French-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup, as well as Dunaden and other champion European stayers such as Protectionist and Red Cadeaux.“It is also a fantastic opportunity to promote the Melbourne Cup to French and European racing professionals, who each season demonstrate their ambition to tackle the sport's biggest international challenges.”VRC chief executive Kylie Rogers added, “France has a storied history and connection with the Lexus Melbourne Cup, and we are delighted to formalise our partnership with France Galop by introducing the Prix Kergorlay as a Golden Ticket race.“The Lexus Melbourne Cup attracts the best stayers from across the world, and this new partnership both incentivises and ensures that the strongest international contenders are competing on the first Tuesday in November.”“We look forward to building on this partnership and the long-shared bond between our two racing nations.”The post Prix Kergorlay Becomes a Golden Ticket Qualifier for the Melbourne Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.