The 2026 Pegasus World Cup Celebrates 10 Years as Horse Racing's Hottest Event As It Returns To Gulfstream Park

Marking a decade as one of the most influential events in horse racing, the Pegasus World Cup returns to Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 24, 2026, for its 10-year anniversary celebration. Since its debut, Pegasus World Cup has redefined the sport, blending elite Thoroughbred competition with music, culture, style, and fashion on an international stage. 1/ST will deliver its signature entertainment experience through a renewed partnership with David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality, offering next-level hospitality in the Flamingo Room and will treat guests to a reimagined set by Empire Of The Sun following the races. Groot Hospitality and Palm Tree Crew collaborate once again for the new Pegasus Fan Zone concept in the Carousel Club, unveiling a high-energy entertainment lineup headlined by DJ duo Two Friends.

The 2026 Pegasus World Cup will feature the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational (GI), the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Championship Turf Invitational (GI) and the $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (GII) as part of the total $5.7 million on the line in race day purses.

“The Pegasus World Cup was created to introduce a new, meaningful event to the Thoroughbred horse racing calendar. Ten years in, it is recognized as one of the most anticipated and exciting events in the sport. Thank you to the horsemen and women, long-standing partners like Groot Hospitality and Palm Tree Crew, sponsors, enthusiastic fans and guests, and the South Florida community for your part in helping 1/ST reach this milestone moment.” - Belinda Stronach, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1/ST

Reimagined for the 10th anniversary, the Flamingo Room remains a centerpiece of the Pegasus World Cup. The exclusive space offers sweeping, bird’s-eye views of the track, enhanced culinary programming, and entertainment offerings. Guests will experience a bespoke menu curated by Groot Hospitality concepts Gekkō, Komodo, Papi Steak and Casadonna. Live performances by Brian Newman, Grammy-Winning Producer, Creative & Musical Director, trumpetist and vocalist, and an exclusive, tailored DJ and vocal set by Empire Of The Sun will amplify the experience for guests in the Flamingo Room and private suites.

Groot Hospitality and Palm Tree Crew will collaborate for the Pegasus Fan Zone, located in Gulfstream Park’s Carousel Club. Hosted by Griffin Johnson, the space will deliver hospitality, culinary selections, wagering contests, and partner activations, alongside a lineup of race-day performances curated by Palm Tree Crew, including world-renowned DJs Two Friends, Ruckus, Rae Sada, and more. The Pegasus Fan Zone will also feature the Carousel Club VIP Garden, inclusive of beverages, food by Groot Hospitality, and on-the-rail homestretch views of the horses as they thunder toward the finish line.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Belinda and the entire 1/ST team to deliver an incredible experience at the Pegasus World Cup this year.” - Myles Shear, Co-Founder of Palm Tree Crew

Beyond the track, the celebration continues at Miami’s iconic LIV Nightclub for the official Pegasus World Cup after-party headlined by Frank Walker and ARTY.

“Groot Hospitality has been proud to support the Pegasus World Cup from day one, and celebrating its ten-year milestone is special. This year we’re bringing our best in dining and entertainment to every part of the experience, from the Flamingo Room and Carousel Club VIP Garden, to the official after-party at LIV at Fontainebleau Miami Beach with Frank Walker, all in support of making Pegasus the hottest day in horse racing.” - David Grutman, Founder of Groot Hospitality

The 2026 Pegasus World Cup includes an outstanding roster of premier partners, each bringing distinct experiences and on-site activations to the event. Anheuser-Busch, marking the first year of a new three-year partnership with Pegasus World Cup, will activate a full-service Stella Artois–branded Airstream bar on the trackside apron, while NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer will activate throughout Carousel Club and the apron. Don Julio Tequila will be featured as the base spirit in the event’s signature cocktail, The Pegasus Paloma. Complementing the cocktail moment, Don Julio will also spotlight its Don Julio 70® Cristalino Tequila, underscoring the brand’s premium positioning within the event. Brown-Forman expands its footprint with Woodford Reserve, co-creating a signature cocktail and offering roving bourbon tastings, while Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey brings a branded activation to the trackside apron. CELSIUS® will energize the Pegasus Fan Zone with a high-impact presence anchored by a custom photo moment. Champagne Pommery is the official champagne of the event and will present the Winner’s Circle toast to the winning connections following each race. Pepsi also joins the program with a sponsored race, while Visit Lauderdale continues as the official tourism partner, highlighting the diverse offerings of Greater Fort Lauderdale through custom content, impactful signage, and on-site visibility.

Baccarat will return as the Official Trophy Purveyor for the 2026 Pegasus World Cup championship trophies. The rearing Pegase (French for ‘Pegasus’) Horses, crafted from the crystal of unparalleled purity, stand over twenty inches tall and symbolize the time-honored dedication to craftsmanship shared by Baccarat with the sport of horse racing. The limited-production Pegase Horse in Black, valued at $57,000, will be presented to the Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner, and the Pegase Horse in Clear, valued at $50,000, will be presented to the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational winner.

Tickets for the 2026 Pegasus World Cup range in price from $135 to $2,300, with unparalleled entertainment and incredible views of the action throughout the venue at every ticket level. Individual VIP ticket offerings include Clubhouse options (starting at $135), the Pegasus Fan Zone ($234), Carousel Club VIP Garden ($1,039), and Ten Palms (starting at $668).

For the ultimate VIP experience, a limited number of Private Suites (with terraces overlooking the track) are available. The Flamingo Room is sold out.

Among the general admission offerings is the Casadonna Finish Line Terrace, located on Level 1. This experience gives guests access to the Breezeway, Trackside Apron, Walking Ring, and Casino, along with live DJs, concessions, and multiple bars. The ticket includes a sponsored open bar for guests 21+ by Stella Artois and NÜTRL Vodka Seltzer.

1/ST BET, the official betting app of the 2026 Pegasus World Cup, will provide an exclusive wagering offering to all attendees. Through advanced AI technology, the 1/ST BET app is designed to make betting more accessible, easy to understand, and fun for first-time wagerers and advanced handicappers alike.

The Pegasus World Cup has captured the attention of the racing industry, fans, and celebrities, including Camila Cabello, Alix Earle, Rick Ross, Anuel AA, Jennifer Lopez, Gene Simmons, Lenny Kravitz, Pharrell Williams, Usher, Vanessa Hudgens, Vin Diesel, Maluma and Venus Williams, to name just a few. Pegasus World Cup guests have enjoyed post-race performances by Diplo, Black Coffee and Dasha (2025); Calvin Harris (2024); Joe Jonas, OneRepublic and Kygo (2023); Lil’ Kim, Ja Rule, Mase, El Debarge and DJ Cassidy (2022); Nelly and T-Pain (2020); Snoop Dogg and Mark Ronson (2019); Post Malone (2018); and Thomas Rhett (2017).

The Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series has welcomed legendary Thoroughbred racehorses, including Arrogate (Longines World’s Best Racehorse 2016 and 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), California Chrome (two-time American Horse of the Year 2014 & 2016 and 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational contender), Gun Runner (American Horse of the Year 2017 and 2018 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), City of Light (2019 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), Mucho Gusto (2020 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), Knicks Go (2021 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), Life Is Good (2022 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), Art Collector (2023 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), National Treasure (2024 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner), Mystik Dan (2024 Kentucky Derby winner and 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational contender), and White Abarrio (2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner).

The 2026 Pegasus World Cup will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock on Saturday, January 24 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. EST, with full-day coverage available on FanDuel TV. The event will also be distributed globally in partnership with HBA Media.

Images via Pegasus World Cup

Past PROFILE articles about Pegasus World Cup:

Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality Set To Open Ken Fulk-Designed 'Casadonna' On The Biscayne Bay Waterfront in Edgewater

Casadonna, a first-of-its-kind partnership between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, is set to open its doors in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood alongside Biscayne Bay on October 26. The ultra-luxurious Ken Fulk-designed waterfront destination spans 20,000 square feet across indoor, outdoor and bar seating, matching a sophisticated, storied atmosphere and an expansive, inventive menu designed around coastal Italian cuisine.

Accommodating up to 366 patrons, Casadonna’s Riviera-style Italian cooking takes center stage as the gentle teal of Biscayne Bay, and Miami Beach’s iconic skyline, shimmers in the backdrop. The menu features the freshest local and imported-from-Italy ingredients, with signature dishes including Crispy Young Artichoke, Royal Dorade Aqua Pazza, Bistecca Fiorentina, and a selection of handmade pastas including Campanelle Bolognese, and more. Recipes are based on classic culinary techniques found in seaside towns such as Naples, Taormina, Bari, Positano and Gaeta, yet each is presented in a contemporary and global fashion. A comprehensive crudo bar including Langoustine Ceviche, Tuna Carpaccio and Caviar elevates the aperitivo offering in tandem with traditional antipasti starters. Bespoke cocktails and an extensively curated wine cellar complete the spirit of seaside dolce vita.

“Casadonna is unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” says David Grutman, Founderof Groot Hospitality. “In partnering with Tao, I cannot wait to see our synergies take hold and for our guests to experience the unique magic we’ve created. From the fresh Italian menu to its unbeatable waterfront views, we see Casadonna bringing something new to Miami dining–and we know it will be unforgettable.”

“This is our first foray into the Miami market,” says Noah Tepperberg, Co-CEO of Tao Group Hospitality. “It’s an honor to be in such an important landmark within the city, and it’s exciting to have partnered with Groot Hospitality on this venture. David and his team know Miami deeply, and with our combined strengths, I have no doubt Casadonna is going to become an instant classic.”

Located in a waterfront landmark building that houses the Miami Women’s Club, Casadonna’s name pays homage to the restaurant’s site. The moniker’s compound elements–“casa” and “donna”– translate from Italian to English as “home” and “woman.” While the Miami Women’s Club was founded in 1900–making it one of the oldest formal organizations in the city–the current Mediterranean-revival structure opened in 1926, and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Miami Women’s Club has been instrumental in supporting educational programs and promoting community stewardship in and around the Magic City. Its members have also helped with state-shaping policy and activism. Among their most notable achievements: The Miami Women’s Club took a prominent role in the founding of the State Federation Royal Palm Park. The Royal Palm would evolve and be absorbed into none other than what is now Everglades National Park.

“We delved deep into the history of Miami architecture and this building, and we landed on a shared vision that added the grandeur of nearby Vizcaya and the exotic allure of the Long Bar at Raffles in Singapore,” says designer Ken Fulk. “We then inserted modern luxuries and really leaned into a slow reveal of spaces, which is a hallmark of the Groot and Tao experiences.”

Spearheaded by Fulk in collaboration with Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, Casadonna’s visual realization provides a highly transportive experience. A double-height Courtyard Bar welcomes guests–this stands in the building’s original atrium. Lush flora and a retractable roof give the space the feeling of a grand secret garden, replete with arched windows, open sky exposure and a second story arcade. As guests move further into the restaurant, with Biscayne Bay coming into view, a number of distinct chambers unfold, from The Garden Dining Room, which is designed to feel like a classic, plaster-finished conservatory, to the Loggia Dining Room, which boasts parquet wood floors, a coffered ceiling, detailed millwork, custom blown-glass chandeliers and breathtaking views of the Bay through the building’s original windows. The experience concludes at the Ocean Bar, which is composed of intimate lounges and al fresco dining areas that span the length of the bay-facing terrace. As guests move through this progression of rooms, the seductive waterfront views become more and more pronounced.

Casadonna will be open for dinner on Thursday, October 26th and for weekend brunch beginning on Saturday, November 11th 2023.

Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality To Bring Coastal Italian-Inspired Concept 'Casadonna' To Edgewater's Historic Women's Club Building

The historic Miami Women’s Club in Edgewater is set to be transformed with the opening of Casadonna, a Coastal Italian-inspired restaurant developed in partnership between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality. The restaurant is slated to open Summer 2023 in the waterfront Mediterranean revival historic Women’s Club building, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The name "Casadonna" is derived from the setting, a fusion of Italian words translating to "house of the woman." The restaurant represents the first partnership between hospitality and entertainment powerhouses the Miami-based Groot Hospitality, led by David Grutman, and the New York City-based Tao Group Hospitality, led by Jason Strauss.

Riviera-style Italian cooking serves as the heart of Casadonna's cuisine. The menu will feature the freshest and finest local and imported products, with signature handcrafted dishes. Plates are based around traditional recipes found in the coastal towns of Naples, Taormina, Bari, Positano and Gaeta, and each is presented in a contemporary fashion. Bespoke cocktails and an extensive wine list complement this approach.

Casadonna will seat up to 366 guests in both indoor and outdoor dining and bar areas, all of which have been visualized by the designer Ken Fulk. The atmosphere is lush, leafy, stately and golden, conveying both a nod to the site's legacy as the Women's Club building, and a reflection of modern Miami tastes. Design highlights include a tranquil indoor-outdoor flow featuring a covered, high-ceilinged atrium, iconic paned and vaulted glass windows, original gates, elaborate chandeliers and distinctive floor patterning.

Tao Group Hospitality delivers distinctive culinary and premium entertainment experiences through its portfolio of restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, and daylife venues. Tao Group Hospitality acquired Hakkasan Group in April 2021. The combined company operates more than 70 branded locations in over 20 markets across five continents and features a collection of widely recognized hospitality brands. These include TAO, Hakkasan, OMNIA, Marquee, LAVO, Beauty & Essex, Wet Republic, Yauatcha, Ling Ling, Cathédrale, Little Sister, The Highlight Room, Sake No Hana, Jewel, and more. Tao Group Hospitality is part of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) (NYSE: MSGE), a leader in live experiences.

Groot Hospitality was officially formed in 2018 by David Grutman and is a Miami Beach-based collective of top restaurants, bars, cafés, nightlife ventures and hotels. Groot Hospitality’s portfolio includes The Goodtime Hotel, the nightclubs LIV and STORY, the restaurants Gekkō, Komodo, The Key Club, Papi Steak, Strawberry Moon and Swan. At both the Goodtime Hotel and Swan, Grutman is partners with the multi-hyphenate musician and producer Pharrell Williams and the pair will also open their first resort, Somewhere Else on Atlantis Paradise Island, in 2024. Grutman is also partners with the recording artist and actor Bad Bunny on Gekkō.

The Chetrit Group Announces Kobi Karp-Designed The River District In Brickell With New Concepts From David Grutman

As Miami’s bustling Brickell neighborhood evolves into one of the nation’s most desirable urban cores, New York-based developer Chetrit Group has announced a transformative new district designed by Kobi Karp that will reimagine over six acres of the Miami River’s waterfront into a premier destination for art, entertainment, music, and culture. The River District, located at the long-underutilized delta between I-95, Southwest Second Avenue and Jose Marti Park, brings high-end living, working, dining, shopping and yachting to the area with four distinct, brand-new skyscrapers, a pair of two-story waterfront retail buildings, a marina and lush new streetscapes inspired by Brazil’s tropical modernism aesthetic. The first tower is already rising and can be seen on the Miami River from I-95 west of Brickell.

Situated just south of the Miami River, The River District will comprise of 4 million square feet of new development in all. This includes about 1,600 residences, Class A office space, 30,000 square feet of curated retail, a boat marina that can accommodate 60-foot vessels, 2,000 covered parking spots, as well as vibrant restaurants and nightlife venues. The first building to come to market at The River District will be its luxury condominium. Expected to launch in early 2023, sales and marketing will be exclusively handled by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.

“The Miami River has been ripe for a new archetype of riverfront living, especially as the Brickell neighborhood continues to attract national companies and new residents to its urban core,” said Michael Chetrit of Chetrit Group. “With demand for new, curated experiences walkable from Brickell Avenue at an all-time high, we are excited to introduce a ground-up new neighborhood that builds and honors community, with a Brazilian twist. The River District is going to create a riverwalk experience for the first time in the city, and we expect to completely transform how people in the area live, work and play.”

To elevate the standard of hospitality, Chetrit Group partnered with David Grutman of Groot Hospitality – the globally renowned nightlife and hospitality visionary behind the goodtime hotel, nightclubs LIV and Story and restaurants Gekkō, Papi Steak, Swan and Komodo, among more – to deliver innovative new culinary and residential concepts exclusively to the ambitious master planned development. Through a lens of lavish design, in-demand talent and a frisson of celebrity and social media moments, Grutman is known for reestablishing Miami as a global contemporary hotspot for hospitality and aims to infuse this same spirit throughout The River District.

"The River District is going to be a highlight in Miami city's ongoing transformation," said David Grutman. "Paired with Chetrit Group's overall vision, I'm incredibly excited to bring Groot Hospitality to this game-changing development. We plan to feature versions of our existing concepts as well as all new ideas, across residential, restaurant and entertainment spaces."

The four skyscrapers at The River District – a luxury condominium, office tower and two premier rental buildings – are each distinguished by their own, unique interpretation of the Brazilian tropical modernism motif. This design vision, a hallmark of the vibrant culture at The River District, will be spearheaded by leading local architecture firm Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design. Having helped shape many of Miami’s most exclusive neighborhoods, from Fisher Island to Surfside, Kobi Karp is the top architect for transformative projects of The River District’s scale and level of importance. He is responsible for creating the master plan for the site, as well as the architecture, which together are reminiscent of the beachfront walkways of Rio de Janeiro.

For the interiors, Chetrit Group tapped New York-based, award-winning architecture and design firm Rockwell Group. Rockwell Group is known for creating unique narratives for award-winning projects across the globe, which range from restaurants, hotels, airport terminals, and hospitals, to festivals, museum exhibitions, and Broadway sets. Projects include multiple Oscar award ceremony production designs; Nobu hotels and restaurants worldwide; Equinox Hotel New York; restaurants like Katsuya and Peak in New York and Gekkō and CHICA in Miami; set designs for Broadway shows, such as Hairspray and Kinky Boots; and many more. Rockwell Group will design the condominium tower, including the lobby, amenity spaces and 378 studios to three bedroom residences. Rockwell Group and IDDI, an international design firm, will envision the rental tower, where Rockwell Group is designing the lobby and restaurant.

Representing the first master-planned project developed by Chetrit Group in South Florida, The River District will showcase the company’s level of focus and expertise delivering large-scale real estate developments. Construction will be completed in phases, with phase one currently underway. That includes the first rental tower, as well as the two retail buildings. The next phase will begin with the groundbreaking of the luxury condominium, which is slated for early 2023 with a target completion in 2026.

Renderings via JORG and Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

Dave Grutman's Groot Hospitality Files Plans To Bring Restaurant To Edgewater At The Historic Miami Women's Club

Dave Grutman, the founder of LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Groot Hospitality, the brand behind the swanky Komodo, Papi Steak and Swan restaurants, has filed plans to bring a new restaurant to Edgewater at the historic Miami Woman’s Club. The Miami Woman’s Club was first built in 1930 and is being restored with approvals from Miami’s Historic Preservation Board. Groot Hospitality pulled a construction permit which was filed in August to build out the 14,838 SF restaurant. The restaurant will make use of renovating 11,396 SF as well as a 3,442 SF addition via a $6.5 million mortgage issued by Firstbank Puerto Rico. The renovation will include a rooftop lounge and a waterfront dining deck on Biscayne Bay. No restaurant concept has been publicly announced as of yet.