Global series on hiatus

The World Racing Championship - which last year included the Arlington Million, the Canadian International, the Breeders' Cup Classic and Turf, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and the Japan Cup among its 13 races - will not be staged this year as its organizers regroup.

Organizers of the series plan to meet with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities to propose a merit award system to recognize the best horses on the international scene.

Originally sponsored by Emirates Airlines, the World Racing Championship suffered a setback in 2000 when the Dubai World Cup dropped out of the series.