Sport
Belinda Stronach: The woman behind the Pegasus World Cup
By George Ramsay, for CNN
Updated 9:37 AM ET, Fri January 25, 2019
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Belinda Stronach is the brains behind Saturday's Pegasus World Cup, which was the world's richest horse race last year -- with a $16 million prize purse. Kelly Serfoss
A former politician, Stronach ran to become leader of the Canada's Conservative Party in 2004. She served as an MP from 2004-2008, switching her allegiance to join the Liberal Party in 2005. Donald Weber/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Now she is immersed in the racing industry, running her family's Stronach Group empire. Here she is pictured at the 2016 Breeders' Cup in California with actress and model Emily Ratajkowski. Charley Gallay/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Breeders' Cup
Arrogate -- named World's Best Racehorse in 2016 -- beat California Chrome in a classic final duel to win the inaugural 2017 Pegasus World Cup, then worth $12 million in total. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Gun Runner, winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic in November 2017, won the second running of the Pegasus World Cup last year. Harry How/Getty Images
The 2019 edition will include a new turf-race, which hopes to attract a more international field. The $16 million purse will not be split between the two Grade 1 races. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The Pegasus World Cup combines racing with popular culture. Many top musicians have performed at the event, with Snoop Dog scheduled to headline this year. Randy Shropshire/Getty Images North America/Getty Images