American Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Velazquez is set to ride at the Magic Millions race day at the Gold Coast.
The 44-year-old, who leads the all-time prize money earnings in the United States, is coming to Australia with trainer Graham Motion to see Animal Kingdom’s first foals go through the sale ring.
Now standing at Arrowfield Stud, the Motion-trained Animal Kingdom won the 2011 Kentucky Derby with Velazquez aboard.
John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud bought a majority share in the horse before he won the 2013 World Cup in Dubai with Sheikh Mohammed later buying into the horse.
Animal Kingdom stands the northern hemisphere season at the sheikh’s Darley Stud in America.
Velazquez, who won last Saturday’s Group One Cigar Mile on Tonalist in New York, will be available for rides at Australia’s richest race meeting on January 9 worth $10 million.
Animal Kingdom will have eight yearlings in the Magic Millions sale, seven from the Arrowfield draft.
