pegasus -...
TRANSCRIPT
J a n u a r y 2 0 1 7
P E G A S U S
HUEBBal Harbour, Brickell and Dadeland
BAL HARBOUR 305.865.1100. BRICKELL 786.907.3800. DADELAND 305.662.8655.
m a g a z i n e
P E G A S U S 2
PH
OTO
GR
AP
HY
BY
SA
RA
H D
UN
N
C H A I R M A N ' S L E T T E R
This inaugural edition of the Pegasus magazine is designed to complement all of the work The
Stronach Group is doing to elevate and modernize the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing for the
next generation of fans. It is not just about attending a horse race, it’s about providing an entertain-
ment experience that is second to none.
In this edition, we will introduce you to the next generation of industry leaders, young owners,
trainers, jockeys and announcers who are changing the face of the sport. You will be given a sneak
peak into the heightened design, food and beverage experiences that we all seek as a part of our
leisure time. You will also discover how horse racing and technology are becoming increasingly
intertwined and how fashion and racing go hand in hand.
There is a sensory experience that comes with reading a magazine, feeling the paper stock and
flipping the pages, viewing the images and enjoying a quiet moment from the world around you.
It’s something I believe will never go out of style.
I would like to thank our team at The Stronach Group for their efforts and ongoing dedication to
make The Sport of Kings even greater, Seth Browarnik at World Red Eye for being our partner in
this venture and Miami for providing so much inspiration! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Belinda Stronach
R E S O RT l C A S I N O l M A R I N A
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A TrifectaThat
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Chairman
BELINDA STRONACH
Publisher
SETH BROWARNIK
Creative Director
ALIZA SEREBRENICK
Contributors
world
.com
DANNY SANTIAGO
FRANK WALKER
GEORGE KAMPER
HANS NEUMANN
JEN SMITH
LEE BRIAN SCHRAGER
LINDSEY SHOOK
LYDIA MARTIN
WILLIAM & SUSAN BRINSON
YALE BRESLIN
ALON OSSIP
Chief Executive Officer
TIM RITVO
Chief Operating Officer
JOHN SIMONETTI
Chief Financial Officer
JANE LYNN
Chief Legal Counsel
MIKE ROGERS
Executive Vice President, Business Development
CHRISTINA BIANCO
Executive Vice President, Finance
KEITH BRACKPOOL
Chairman California Horse Racing
TAMIR SHANEL
Executive Vice President, Food & Beverage
TIFFANI STEER
JENNIFER VITRELLA
PAUL PIVATO
KATHY KOHN
KEVIN GILMORE
BONNIE SHORE
THE STRONACH GROUP EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Stronach Group Contributors
FRANK STRONACH
Founder & Honorary Chairman
BELINDA STRONACH
Chairman & President
TA B L E O F C O N T E N TS
Equine-Inspired Decor 8
What To Wear on Race Day 10
The 13th Jockey 14
On Track: Kygo 16
Design Profile: Ten Palms 18
The Dish with Lee Brian Schrager 20
Women and the Art of Wagering 26
The Front Runner 28
Best in Show 34
Artist Profile: Neil Latham 40
The Game Changers 48
The Stakeholders of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational 56
In the Winner’s Circle with Frank Stronach 58
The Magic of Miami 60
Pure and Simple 68
Around the Corner at Gulfstream Park 74
Behind the Track 78
In Closing 82
7 HOTELS11 RESTAURANTS
4 NIGHTLIFE VENUES4 SPAS
WELCOME TO
THE MAGIC CITY COMES ALIVE WITH SBE. STAY
IN ANY OF OUR LUXURIOUS HOTELS, DINE IN
AWARD-WINNING RESTAURANTS AND EXPLORE
EXCITING NIGHTLIFE, ALL WITHIN THE SBE FAMILY.
P E G A S U S 8
T R E N D
ACROSS THE BOARDIncorporate this winning collection of equine-inspired decor into your home
by Lindsey Shook
1- Horsehair Tassel Pillow by Texa, available at texacollection.com, $1,400
2- Horse Head in Metal Frame by
Williams-Sonoma, available at Williams-Sonoma at The Village at Gulfstream Park, williams-sonoma.com, pricing from $150-175
3- Lalique Horse Head Sculpture, designed
by Marc Lalique, son of founder René
Lalique, in 1953, available at Lalique Bal
Harbour Boutique at The Shops at Bal
Harbour, lalique.com, $43,000
1. 2. 3.
4- Equus Nesting Side Tables by Barry
Dixon for Arteriors, arteriorshome.com, available for special order at The Gallery Interiors in Miami, thegalleryinteriors.net, $3,000
5- Enamel + Metal Animal Ring Dish
by West Elm, available at West Elm at The Village at Gulfstream Park, westelm.com, $59
6- Horsehair Sconce by Apparatus,
available for special order at ED’IT in
Miami, editshowroom.com, $4,700
CHOPARDBal Harbour, Brickell and Dadeland
BAL HARBOUR 305.865.1100. BRICKELL 786.907.3800. DADELAND 305.662.8655.
P E G A S U S 10
Cream hat by Stetson. Black leather spectators by Gucci. Carnation tie pin by Lanvin. Black leather belt by Bontoni. Socks by Falke
WHAT TO WEARStep up your style when stepping out at the 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational
photograper William & Susan Brinson fashion editor Jen Smith
T R E N D
P E G A S U S 11
Velvet hat by Gucci. Velvet-trimmed ruffled dégredé satin mules by Marco de Vincenzo.
Jean Go Glitter acrylic box clutch by Edie Parker. Floral silk broach by Gucci.
T R E N D
P E G A S U S 12
T R E N D
Luxe spectators by Christian Louboutin. Black and white herringbone socks by Barneys New York. Silk tie by Charvet.
Sunglasses by Garrett Leight California Optical.
P E G A S U S 13
T R E N D
Sinamay and buntal straw mesh headpiece by Philip Treacy. Evangeline crystal-embellished satin sandals by Sophia Webster.
Cloud Tube mirrored metal clutch by Jimmy Choo. Chain necklace with lock by Marla Aaron.
P E G A S U S 14
THE ‘13th JOCKEY’Introducing the new face of
the Pegasus World Cup Invitational,
Conor McGregor
by Kelly Serfoss
UFC champion Conor McGregor, the first
man to hold two UFC titles simultaneously,
can now add an honorary title to his acco-
lades, ‘The 13th Jockey.’ The Stronach Group
enlisted the world-renowned fighter to bring a
fun and fresh perspective in celebration of the
Pegasus World Cup Invitational.
McGregor accepted the challenge of learn-
ing his way around the stables and training
with Thoroughbred horses for his jockey por-
trayal in a short comedic film series that will
be released in promotion of the high stakes
Thoroughbred race held at Gulfstream Park.
Directed by Frank Coraci, the five-episode
shorts also feature actor and comedian Jon
Lovitz who posed as McGregor’s trainer.
The Champ and his crew often attend horse
races but are eagerly awaiting the Pegasus
World Cup Invitational. “The Pegasus is the
most prestigious event there is, with the most
money on the line. It’s an honor to be the face
of an event like this,” says the Irish born ath-
lete. “Horse racing has a big presence in my
country and I’m proud to be a part of the big-
gest horse race in the world.” �
J O C K E Y
SAME DNAdifferent personality
SLS HOTELS
genuine SOPHISTICATIONcelebrated DESIGN
exceptional CUISINEbespoke SERVICE
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P E G A S U S 16
Kygo at Ultra Music Festival.
O N T R A C K
KYGOFrank Walker Uncovers Why the DJ Loves the Magic City
by Frank Walker photography by Seth Browarnik
Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, a.k.a Kygo, fell in love with Miami while playing at
Ultra Music Festival and other top clubs throughout the city. Now many
locals and fans from around the world flock here to take in his uplifting
beats, which fit in perfectly with the tropical vibes. “I always love playing
new music at Ultra. There are so many die-hard fans who attend, and it’s
so rewarding to share new material with those that have been following
me since day one,” says Kygo. “I feel like I’ve met so many fellow producers
and DJs at Miami Music Week who I might not have met otherwise.”
Constantly pushing boundaries with beats, the musician is known for go-
ing above and beyond to deliver a dynamic show. “I see things continuing
to move more toward live performances,” says Kygo. ”I think fans really
enjoy watching their favorite tracks come together directly in front of their
eyes—that’s really what I try to do as much as possible.”
Born in Norway, the musician and producer quickly rose to fame with his
mind-blowing remixes of songs by world-renowned artists including Mar-
vin Gaye, Ed Sheeran and others. Now, the demand for his music takes
him around the globe, performing at massive festivals like Lollapalooza,
TomorrowWorld and Coachella. “Even though I love traveling and seeing
new places, I’d say one of the hardest things is being away from home for
long periods of time,” says Kygo. When he’s not traveling the world, the DJ
can be found spending time in Miami, producing new music, headlining at
the Fontainebleau’s LIV, or enjoying a meal at one of his preferred Miami
eateries such as Komodo. �
D E S I G N P R O F I L E
TEN STARS AT TEN PALMSInterior designer Karan Brady opens the doors to
Gulfstream Park’s newly designed Ten Palms Restaurant
by Lindsey Shook photography by Seth Browarnik
Los Angeles interior designer Karan Brady is no stranger to curating
spaces with defined style. Known for layering rich fabrics and textures
with objects collected from around the world, her sophisticated ap-
proach to design aligned with The Stronach Group’s vision for refresh-
ing restaurants at both the Santa Anita and Gulfstream racetracks.
First, Brady was tasked with the swift remodel of The 100 to 1 Club
(formerly The Gallop Out) at Santa Anita Park, where she and her
team used beautifully appointed fabrics and custom-designed furni-
ture to exude the distinguished Southern California style of industrial-
meets-casual-chic.
Most recently, Brady unveiled her design at Gulfstream Park’s Ten
Palms restaurant, which evokes the spirit of Ernest Hemingway’s home
in Cuba. “I found inspiration for Ten Palms in the enchantment and so-
phistication that was alive in Cuba during the 1950s,” says Brady. The
designer’s mix of exquisite antique rugs with relaxed furniture, over-
sized black and white vintage photos of Gulfstream Park and banana
trees scattered throughout, transport guests to the Caribbean island.
“Fortunately, at Ten Palms, I had the freedom to inject my own creativ-
ity,” says Brady. “I designed the space to take guests back in time.”
Having worked at Ralph Lauren for several years, Brady understands
the importance of transforming a space in order to create an unforget-
table experience. “At Ralph Lauren we created a moment, as it were, to
literally transport someone out of their current space and make them
feel as though they landed in a fantasy world,” the designer says of her
time spent at Ralph Lauren. At Ten Palms, Brady and team deliver the
perfect escape for spending a day at the races. “I hope guests leave with
a piqued curiosity for horse racing and walk away feeling they truly
experienced the energy of Cuba, new food, and great company,” says
Brady. “And of course, I hope they come back!” �
Interior designer Karan Brady in the newly redesigned Ten Palms.
P E G A S U S 19
Chef Cindy Hutson at her new Downtown Miami eatery, Zest.
P E G A S U S 21
T H E D I S H
CINDY HUTSON’s Ortanique on the Mile is
a staple for locals and tourists alike, with guests
coming in time and again for her bright dishes,
composed of the freshest ingredients, influenced
by the cuisine of the islands. It all may have start-
ed on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, but Hutson
continually proves that her award-winning recipe
for success lies with her “cuisine of the sun”. Per-
fectly prepared seafood, rotating ceviches, cre-
ative salads, expertly crusted meats and more are
all sprinkled with just the right amount of island
spices to get your taste buds swaying to the beat
of the music. She most recently opened Zest, in
downtown Miami, which also has an outpost in
Jamaica, where her seasonally focused approach
bursts with the flavors of the Caribbean and pleas-
es gourmands from around the globe. A longtime
fan myself, I caught up with Hutson to find out
her staying-power secret and how she’s keeping it
fresh today.
Your Coral Gables outpost, Ortanique on the
Mile, has been a South Florida favorite for
more than 15 years. What’s the secret to your
long-standing success here in Miami? Orta-
nique has actually been here for 18 years. When
our guests talk to us about why they have been
coming for so many years, they say that our staff
is knowledgeable and engaging. Our food has
distinct ethnic flavors, and is consistently some
of the best food they have eaten. And our core
menu stays the same to satisfy those customers
who just can’t seem to order anything other than
that menu item they crave; while our specials re-
flect our creativity and seasonal ingredients. We
prepare very ethnically diverse foods, so people
from almost anywhere can relate to the flavors.
What changes have you noticed in Miami’s cu-
linary scene in recent years? I began my career
at Norma’s on the Beach on Lincoln Road in
South Beach in November 1994. So quite a bit has
changed. Back then all you heard about or read
about was the Mango Gang: chefs Allen Susser,
Norman Van Aken, Mark Militello, Douglas Rodri-
guez and Robbin Haas. These were the chefs who
were changing the culture of South Florida dining.
These chefs really started seasonal, local and farm-
to-table long before it became a culinary move-
ment. Miami became a dining destination, driving
an insurgence of great chef-owned restaurants as
opposed to continental cuisine hotel chefs. These
guys paved the way for chefs like Michelle Bern-
stein, Andrea Curto, Hedy Goldsmith and myself
to emerge, which created quite a bit of buzz about
women in the kitchen. After that, we saw some
molecular gastronomy, which was short-lived but
has come back a bit now with some younger chefs
wowing palates. The farm-to-table movement hit
the scene along with gastro pubs; now we have
the sustainable, organic, slow foods movement
and the push to know the origin of your food.
Can you explain your self-coined “cuisine of the
sun” approach for someone who’s not familiar
with you or your food? To me, “cuisine of the sun”
is fresh, seasonal, bold flavors and creative ethnic
diversity—anything under the sun.
You mentor future chefs with the James Beard
Foundation’s Women in Culinary Leadership
program. What’s the one piece of advice that you
have for those starting out in the culinary indus-
try today? This career path is like a roller coaster.
It has so many ups and downs, and if you can’t
take the turns and dips, get off the ride.
What’s your go-to spot in Miami? Matsuri or
Captain’s Tavern on Tuesdays, when they have
two-for-one Maine lobster.
THE DISH WITH LEE BRIAN SCHRAGER It’s no secret that culinary icon Lee Brian Schrager has his pulse on the most appetizing cuisine
in town. His visionary contributions to South Florida have helped shape the ever-evolving
food scene, putting the region on the global map as a foodie destination. We asked Schrager to
share insights on two chefs that are currently on his radar and why.
portraits by Gary James
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T H E D I S H
opposite page: Hutson’s Jerk Chicken Fricassee Pappardelle dish from the winter dinner menu at Zest. this page: The beef tartare at Justin Smillie’s Upland located in South Beach.
Chef Justin Smillie at Upland in Miami Beach.
Celebrated restaurateur Stephen Starr is no strang-
er to success in the Northeast— including New
York and Philadelphia—and South Florida. Long-
standing favorites like Steak 954 in Fort Lauderdale
and Makoto in Bal Harbour have recently been
joined by Le Zoo and Continental Miami. And just
over a year since Continental Miami’s opening,
Starr has turned his sights back to South Beach to
further expand his empire and make his mark in
the flourishing South of Fifth neighborhood with
the opening of Upland. Already a smash hit in New
York, Starr is bringing the talents of Upland execu-
tive chef JUSTIN SMILLIE to Miami for the sec-
ond outpost of the concept.
A native of California who was raised in a family of
excellent cooks, the name Upland stems from the
West Coast town that fostered Smillie’s love of cook-
ing. Upon graduating from the Culinary Institute of
America, Smillie found himself gathering experience
from some of the most coveted kitchens in the busi-
ness—starting out in Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s
Mercer Kitchen and continuing on to Danny Meyer’s
Gramercy Tavern and Jonathan Waxman’s Washing-
ton Park and Barbuto. Now, the chef has merged his
roots in California-inspired cuisine with his training
from some of the world’s best chefs to serve up his
own unique blend of fresh dishes, with a focus on
seasonal ingredients, as well as a melding of refined
techniques and a rustic approach that is pleasing
diners from one end of the country to the other.
What made you decide to bring Upland—al-
ready a proven successful concept in New York—
to Miami? With the great success of Upland, my
partner, Stephen Starr, asked if I would be inter-
ested in opening in Miami. Stephen felt that the
Miami guest would love my food style, and I am
excited to get to know Miami better.
This is its first location outside of NYC; will there
be any differences? There will definitely be some
new and different menu items. The restaurant it-
self is similar in design but not a replica.
Miami is a bit of a melting pot of cultures, though
with strong Latin influences. Did this play into
your planning process at all? There’s already
some Latin influences woven into Southern Cali-
fornia’s style of cuisine, so you’ll see that reflected.
Your cuisine is widely described as Southern Cali-
fornia-inspired—what makes it so? I think South-
ern California cuisine can be described as clean,
light, and approachable. That’s what I’m aiming for.
You are a staple in the industry but a newcomer
to the South Florida restaurant scene. What
have you noticed is the same, or completely dif-
ferent, about opening a restaurant here? The
challenges of sourcing and staffing are the same
everywhere, but in Miami you have the luxury of
square footage. I also love that there are no base-
ments here!
When you’re in Miami, where do you like to eat?
We’re just around the corner from Joe’s Stone
Crab, and Joe’s Takeaway has been great to keep
us going during long opening hours. Sandwiche-
rie is also our go-to for a quick bite. Wynwood’s a
lot of fun. Alter is doing great things and I had a
wonderful dinner at KYU last night.
Are there any Miami-based chefs you’d like
to cook with? If so, who? There are a lot of Mi-
ami chefs I admire. I’ve always thought Michael
Schwartz is amazing. It would be fun to collabo-
rate with Brad Kilgore, Giorgio Rapicavoli and
Makoto Okuwa. �
P E G A S U S 25
T H E D I S H
PH
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BY
JON
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P E G A S U S 26
T E C H N O L O G Y
WOMEN AND THE ART OF WAGERING See why Xpressbet is the tool of choice for female fans
by Lindsey Shook photography by Jon Kral
The face of Thoroughbred horse racing—one of
the only sports where women can compete along-
side men—is changing not just on, but also off the
track in the mobile wagering market. The art of
wagering is quickly being mastered by some of
the sport’s most fabulous female enthusiasts and
industry professionals alike, thanks to the ease
and sophistication of the Xpressbet mobile wa-
gering platform.
Since launching in 2002, Xpressbet has enabled
safe and legal wagering on races at 300 tracks across
the globe, seeing rapid engagement among female
fans. With more than 50 percent of new Xpressbet
customers using mobile devices and 10 percent of
all wagers now placed by women, it is evident that
it’s not only the glamorous side of Thoroughbred
horse racing that is attracting women but also the
skill-based approach to wagering.
“Because there is no exact science to picking
the winner, anyone—male or female—can par-
ticipate and get lucky,” says Millie Ball, XBTV
digital media host and live broadcaster for Santa
Anita Park. “You can considerably improve your
odds of winning by developing handicapping and
wagering skills.
You may prefer relying on statistics or watching
race replays to familiarize yourself with a horse’s
trip, hearing the inside scoop from an XBTV ana-
lyst, or viewing the horses in the paddock to access
their physical and mental well-being in order to
improve your chances of cashing that ticket. But
ladies, remember to consider the one thing we as
females naturally rely on: a woman’s intuition!”
2017 is promising to be a strong year for the
Xpressbet platform due to the expanding technolo-
gy offerings for the top races, including the Pegasus
World Cup Invitational. “At Xpressbet, we’ve seen
tremendous growth in the mobile space. It makes
wagering convenient at home and at the racetrack,”
says Kerry Carlson, senior vice president of mar-
keting at Xpressbet. “We are very invested in the
growth of the mobile wagering market and have
updated our mobile offering, which can be found
on the App Store. We’re also launching a new mo-
bile-friendly, responsive website in early 2017.”
So ladies, no need to roll up your sleeves while
placing your wagers this racing season. Download
and dial in to Xpressbet and wager when you want
while wearing what you want! �
THE FRONT RUNNERTHE STRONACH BLOODLINES CONTINUE TO REVOLUTIONIZE
THOROUGHBRED HORSE RACING
by Lydia Martin portraits by Sarah Dunn
B elinda Stronach, one of Canada’s most
innovative businesswomen, is recog-
nized for swiftly shaking up the male-
dominated automotive manufacturing
industry. Now the powerhouse is taking on the distin-
guished world of horse racing with the same pioneer-
ing approach as the chairman and president of The
Stronach Group, the leading owner and operator of
horse racetracks in The United States.
Laying down perhaps their most exciting wager,
The Stronach Group is launching the inaugural Pega-
sus World Cup Invitational, the world’s richest Thor-
oughbred horse race, slated for January 28, 2017 at
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Anticipated to
become the most sought-after annual sporting event
meets entertainment in South Florida, the race will be
televised by NBC and reach markets across the globe.
With an impressive $12 million purse, the Pega-
sus dethrones the $10 million Dubai World Cup. But
for Stronach it’s not just about the high stakes. She
and her team have a plan to create a dynamic and
unconventional experience that will bring Thorough-
bred horse racing into the 21st century, attracting
a younger crowd to Gulfstream and to their other
tracks: Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields in
California; Pimlico and Laurel Park in Maryland; and
Portland Meadows in Oregon.
“There is already excitement around the Pega-
sus. We have 12 stakeholders who paid $1 million
each to participate, and we filled those slots very
quickly,” says the Ontario-born Stronach, who calls
Toronto her home base and keeps a place in Sunny
Isles to be close to Gulfstream, one of her company’s
marquee properties.
“We wanted an annual showcase event that fea-
tures the very height of horse racing and puts Miami
in the limelight at the end of January, when the city is
at its most beautiful. But it’s not just about the Pegasus
itself,” says Stronach. “The big thing is reinventing what
it means to attend a race. We’re renovating properties,
investing heavily in new technology, and hoping to ap-
peal to a younger demographic by curating compelling
entertainment experiences.”
The Stronach Group’s chief executive officer Tim
Ritvo notes, “Unique events and premium destina-
tions are set to be the industry trend. Cool, fun venues
and experiences are what will propel our sport to be
more unique then any other sporting event, for a very
diverse demographic.”
The week of the Pegasus World Cup Invitation-
al will be jam-packed with music, food and fashion
while the race itself will feature halftime show perfor-
mances that are expected to draw not only the sport’s
international following but a roster of celebrities and
P E G A S U S 28
P E G A S U S 30
names in bold who may be new to the sport.
The Stronach Group’s vision, since forming in
2011, has remained focused on developing integrated
entertainment venues and events around the sport of
racing. “The shift is critical for Thoroughbred racing,”
says Alon Ossip, CEO of The Stronach Group, who un-
derstands that creating unique, unforgettable experi-
ences is a crucial component in reviving the sport.
“The Pegasus World Cup Invitational is a first of its
kind. It provides a new model for Thoroughbred own-
ers while bringing to the sport an exciting new level of
thrill,” says Ossip. “The Pegasus World Cup will bring
together amazing entertainment, incredible food and
beverage and the world’s best horses.”
Stronach points to the famed Preakness Stakes at
Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore as an example of en-
hancing a major horse race. Since the first run in 1873,
it is the second leg in American Thoroughbred racing’s
Triple Crown series. In May 2016, the Preakness be-
came the place to be, due to an exhilirating VIP party
hosted by Stronach in a chic chalet designed by Los
Angeles-based interior designer Karan Brady. Brady
curated a space that transported guests to an English
country manor, complete with glowing chandeliers and
reclaimed wooden beams from a 19th-century barn.
“It was a little like SoHo House meets Ralph Lau-
ren,” says Stronach, who hosted the rapper 50 Cent,
celebrity chef Bobby Flay, former Baltimore Raven Ed
Reed and a steady stream of other notables. “It’s what
we mean in terms of taking things up a notch.”
The Stronach Group enlisted the exceptionally tal-
ented Tamir Shanel as Executive Vice President of Food
and Beverage to further cultivate the culinary culture.
“Food is a common denominator that unites people,”
says Shanel. “Our goal is to bring together all genera-
tions by creating memorable experiences in enjoyable
environments.” The newly revised menus will feature
locally grown fare and signature cocktails concocted by
top mixologists, sure to make Gulfstream Park an epi-
curean destination.
But for Stronach, increasing the sport’s fan base
is not just about making it a more lucrative business.
“Last May at the Preakness, I was asked by NBC to do
the Riders Up call, which is when all the jockeys get on
their horses. It was pouring, so I went out in a rain-
coat and one of the young gentlemen who works on
the track came up to thank me for truly being there for
the sport,” said Stronach. “He was glad to see contin-
ued commitment from my family, beyond my father, to
carry racing into the future. Horse racing employs a lot
of people and if we don’t care about making an invest-
ment and taking things to the next level, the industry
left: Gulfstream Park. top (from left): The Stronach Group’s Executive Vice President
of Food and Beverage, Tamir Shanel. Alon Ossip, Chief Executive Officer.
middle, left: Mike Rogers, Executive Vice President, Business Development of The Stronach Group.
middle, right: Tim Ritvo, Chief Operating Officer. bottom: Nicole Walker, Frank Walker
and Belinda Stronach.
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“I THINK THE RACE WILL TAKE ON THE PERSONALITY
OF THIS VERY MODERN CITY, WHICH IS FUN AND SEXY
AND VERY FASHIONCONSCIOUS.”
P E G A S U S 33
will eventually have challenges. There is some great
history and nostalgia around horse racing, but that
doesn’t mean we can’t upgrade the facilities and bring
fashion and luxury to it.”
Her father, Frank Stronach, founded Magna In-
ternational in 1957 and turned the one-man tool and
die shop into the world’s most diversified auto parts
maker. The family didn’t start acquiring horse tracks
until the 1990s, but by then Frank Stronach was al-
ready a longtime Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
“I spent a lot of my time as a kid around horses.
My father has owned hundreds of horses,” says Stro-
nach. “But when I was younger, I wasn’t as into horse
racing as my father was. From the time I was a teen-
ager, I chose to start working in the automotive busi-
ness with him. I always loved horses. They are amaz-
ing athletes. But my focus was Magna.’’
She was named CEO of the company in 2001 and
by 2002 was ranked number two by Fortune Magazine
in its annual list of the world’s most powerful women
in business. In 2004, Time Magazine listed her among
the world’s 100 most influential people. During her
tenure at the helm of Magna, the company posted re-
cord sales and profits in each year and its stock price
nearly doubled in value.
“I was a young woman in a top role in the auto
industry when there really weren’t many women in
the industry.” says Stronach. “It was a totally unique
situation and there were a lot of very strong egos to
contend with. But I set out to earn the respect of the
folks who had been at it longer than me. I don’t know
if my father sent me the message that a woman could
do anything, or if I sent him that message. But we both
learned a great deal.”
It’s easy to see how she won over the automotive
industry: Stronach comes off as less the socialite and
more the straight shooter who is all about the work.
From the start, she was unafraid of putting in the long
hours and the dedication it would take to emerge as a
powerhouse in the business world. And she’s still at it.
When I met with Stronach, she was working
with her team at a long table in a restaurant during
the post-lunch hour at The Village at Gulfstream Park,
where she had been hammering out details of the Peg-
asus race since early morning.
“We have been working since 7:30 a.m., but there
are so many moving parts to putting on the Pegasus.
We have to work out everything from the staging to
the Jumbotrons to the entertainment, the red carpet,
and the hospitality,” says Stronach, 50, the mother
of two grown kids and a breast cancer survivor. She
looks at ease in vintage Levi’s, Chucks and a white T-
shirt under a Chrome Hearts black leather jacket.
No stranger to fashion, she is working with Saks
Fifth Avenue to dream up the perfect dress code for
the world’s richest horse race, which will take its style
cues from glitzy, tropical Miami.
“The Pegasus has to have its own flair. It can’t be
the Royal Ascot, where men have to wear waistcoats,
ties and top hats and the women have to wear head-
pieces and dresses that fall at least to the knees. And
it’s not the Kentucky Derby, where women wear the
wide-brimmed hats.” says Stronach. “I think the race
will take on the personality of this very modern city,
which is fun, sexy and very fashion-conscious. But we
also want to think about rebooting the stylish Miami-
Havana vibe of the 1950s, when it was so much about
glamour.’’ �
B E ST I N S H OWEmbrace the sophisticated side of style for a day at the races
photography by George Kamper styling by Danny Santiago
this page: Vintage earrings
available at C. Madeleine’s.
Dress by Fernando Garcia.
Belt by BCBG Max Azria.
Vintage Cape Jacket available
at C. Madeleine’s.
opposite page: Dress by
Herve Leger available at Saks
Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour
Shops. Vintage earrings
available at C. Madeleine’s
P E G A S U S 37
P E G A S U S 39
opposite page: Gown by Oscar
Carvallo.
this page: Vintage Earrings,
available at C. Madeleine’s. Dress
by Herve Leger by Max Azria,
available at Saks Fifth Avenue Bal
Harbour Shops.
this page: Gown by Oscar
Carvallo, available at Oscar
Carvallo Atelier Miami.
opposite page: The model
wearing a gown by Oscar
Carvallo, photographed with
jockey Joe Bravo.
P E G A S U S 41
NEIL LATHAMGet behind the lens with the man who captured the superstars
of Thoroughbred horse racing
“I firmly believe that to do anything well, you have to
live it,” says Neil Latham, a fine art photographer in
New York City, about his time spent capturing a col-
lection of sensational images of the world’s top Thor-
oughbreds, now featured in his limited-edition book
American Thoroughbred.
His journey began on what was intended to be a quick
two-day jaunt to a friend’s stables in Saratoga, New
York, where he was struck with inspiration upon
studying the glorious physiques of the warm-blooded
animals. “I was instantly connected to the spirit of
these majestic creatures, as their essence reminded
me of my mother,” says Latham. “Like the horses, she
was an incredible force, very strong and determined.”
The two-day trip quickly turned into an extended
journey that would take him across the country,
where he immersed himself in tents and grooms’
dorms at the most sophisticated stables in Kentucky,
California and more. “The experience enabled me to
move around the barns at all hours,” says Latham. “I
was able to get close to the horses at night to under-
stand their anatomy and then see something entirely
different in the daylight.”
Having worked as a fashion photographer for more
than two decades, Latham has a keen understanding
of both beauty and sensibility. Little did he know that
this accuracy would play a key role when photograph-
ing his future subjects. “It could be tricky to use a
large camera that is not movable, using an 8 x 10 film
negative, in front of this big animal that moves con-
stantly,” says Latham about his process. “I have been
in the presence of royalty, horses that people invest
millions in. When you have that precious of an animal
in front of a 30 x 40 black screen it can present sensi-
tive issues for the owners, as you don’t want to startle
the animal.”
His work with the superstars of Thoroughbred horse
racing allowed him to form deep connections with
the likes of the legendary Zenyatta. “She is an incred-
ible horse that almost seems human,” says Latham of
the first female horse to win the Grade I Breeders’
Cup Classic in 2009, who was also the first horse to
win the William H. May award in 2011.
Latham’s tactile approach was not to take traditional
photos but rather capture the athleticism and essence
of the horses. His images often show only a glimpse
of a back or shoulder, leaving the viewer unsure of
what they are seeing and wanting more. “I don’t be-
lieve we need to identify a face with who we are, be-
cause greatness lives within,” says Latham. “I wanted
to create something intelligent that will stand the test
of time.” And timeless works of art are exactly what
Latham has produced, all immortalizing many of the
best athletes in the sport of horse racing for genera-
tions to come. �
Giant’s Causeway, 2013-16, from the series American Thoroughbred.
Fillies, 2013-16.
P E G A S U S 43
top left: A.P. Indy, 2013-16. top right: Tapit, 2013-16. bottom left: Fillies, 2013-16. bottom right: Curlin, 2013-2016.
P E G A S U S 44
S L U G T K
P E G A S U S 45
opposite page: Into Mischief, 2013-16. this page: Fillies, 2013-16.
+1.310.273.7367 FOR STOCKISTS
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THE GAME CHANGERSMeet a few of the sport’s youngest trailblazers that are reshaping the
World of Thoroughbred Horse Racing for generations to come
by Yale Breslin
In order to move an idea in a different direction, it takes a collective group of
forward-thinking individuals who believe in making a difference. This difference,
no matter how big or how small, is imperative for changing people’s perceptions
and assertively moving the needle forward.
In the current world of Thoroughbred horse racing, there is a new breed
of forward-thinking leaders focused on making such important strides in mod-
ernizing the sport. Discover how five of the industry’s next-generation influenc-
ers are helping to build the future of racing.
P E G A S U S 49
What is your first memory of riding?
I will always remember the first time I
rode my family’s first pony named Pop-
eye, while living in Puerto Rico.
Your brother Irad Ortiz, Jr. is also a
top jockey. What is it like competing
against him?
From a very young age we both as-
pired to be professional jockeys. At 16
years old I followed in his footsteps and
attended the Escuela Vocacional Hipica
(The Jockey School of Puerto Rico).
Being he is only one year older, we are
very, very competitive but we keep it fun
and remain close.
How do you separate family from
business?
When we go to the track business is busi-
ness. You cannot let personal get in the
way of professional. I strive to give 100
percent everyday and focus on the win.
You are very active on Twitter, and have
a strong following. How do you see this
as an important tool for your career?
I really enjoy using Twitter because it
gives me the opportunity to connect with
many people from the industry. It is also
a great platform to keep up with updated
statistics posted by industry profession-
als. I really enjoy tracking that and stay-
ing up to date.
Who are some people that have taken
the same path that you admire the
most and why?
I admire John Velazquez who is also a
graduate of Escuela Vocacional Hipica.
I love the way he rides and respect that
he is a great person outside of the track.
His good nature has inspired me to stay
close to my family, have a strong work
ethic and remain determined; many at-
tributes that I think have contributed to
my career so far.
What has been the best moment in
your career to date?
I have been very fortunate to compete in
many races. From my first stateside win
in March 2012 aboard Country Green,
to countless wins with La Verdad, who to
this day remains my favorite horse. But
I would have to say the best moment to
date was at the 2016 Breeders’ Cup when
I won my first race!
THE C LOSE R: JOSE ORTIZ
Jockey
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You began riding when you were 8 years old. What is your
very first memory?
I don’t remember my very first horseback riding lesson but I
do remember a huge feeling of excitement at the beginning.
My mother is a very talented and experienced horsewoman
and had ridden for many years. When I started taking
lessons, she got back into riding. It was something that we
would do together and still do. Riding horses has always been
a special bond between the two of us.
In 2011, you founded the nonprofit Racing for Home, Inc.,
an initiative that is near and dear to you. What inspired
you to launch it?
Thankfully, Thoroughbred aftercare initiatives have taken
center stage much more over the past few years. In 2011,
it was not talked about nearly as much as it is now. When
I saw how many perfectly sound (physically and mentally)
horses were disposed of after their racing days were over, I
wanted to do something. I connected with CANTER New
England (Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred
Ex-Racehorses) and made a short list of horses to be retired
on the closing day of the 2011 meet at Suffolk Downs in
Massachusetts. Today, we have worked and found homes for
20 OTTBs (off-the-track Thoroughbreds), and while it has
been a challenge, it continues to be one of the most rewarding
experiences I have ever been part of.
You started out writing for America’s Best Racing, then
worked as an analyst and reporter for Horse Racing Radio
Network (HRRN) before making your way to Gulfstream
Park, where you currently act as an on-air track handicapper.
Tell me a little bit about your responsibilities in this role.
I started working at Gulfstream Park in May 2016 and dove
right into the deep end. The day of the Kentucky Derby
was actually my first day on the job! I worked through the
Gulfstream summer meet and during the fall at Gulfstream
Park West as an analyst, handicapping each race alongside
Ron Nicoletti. I am also responsible for making guides
for the multirace wagers available such as the Pick 5 and
Rainbow 6 bets, putting together feature videos, conducting
interviews and recording voiceovers for the replay show.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about the
industry?
From the outside, it seems that many people feel that older,
white males dominate horse racing and that it is geared only
toward gambling. Racetrack handle is of course a vital piece
of the industry, but gambling is by far not the only draw.
There is something for everyone.
How do you envision your contributions changing the sport?
In addition to my work promoting Thoroughbred
aftercare, I hope I can be proof that someone young, female
and from a non-racetrack family can become a significant
part of horse racing. While I was Miss Connecticut, I worked
to create a dialogue about empowering young women to
pursue their dreams, regardless of any obstacles that appear
to be in the way.
Tell me why the Pegasus World Cup is so important to you.
The Pegasus World Cup is turning so many eyes toward
the sport of horse racing. It is the first of its kind and it’s
exciting to see something so inventive in an industry where
the complaint is frequently that we never see anything new.
I’m so thrilled to work for a company that is willing to try
new initiatives and to take risks to make the sport even
better. The Stronach Group and Gulfstream Park are making
history, and I feel lucky to be a part of this.
THE ANC HOR: AC AC I A COURTNEY
On-Air Host and Analyst at Gulfstream Park
P E G A S U S 51
You’re no stranger to the sport of Thoroughbred horse rac-
ing. Where did your interest stem from?
My dad sparked it. I grew up as an athlete. I loved playing
football and basketball as a kid. I never really watched horse
racing when I was young though. Then, in 8th grade, my dad
bought our first horse. We instantly started watching the races
together and I got hooked. From there, I fell in love with the
horses and the game, and I’ve been paying attention since that
day. I wanted to learn more, so I really dove into the world
after that.
You work very closely with some of America’s most
successful horsemen, among them Hall of Fame trainers
Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas, and Bill Mott. How do you
maintain these relationships?
Many of the trainers have been in the business a long time. If
you look at a list of the top 10 trainers, I would say the top five
work for us. They are all my mentors. It’s like I am going to the
Harvard of horse racing. That’s why I love going to the barn
every day. They are all different and have different methods.
How do you envision your contributions changing the sport?
I want to bring more young people to the game. I think it’s
a sport that is dominated by the older generation—and
obviously there is no problem with that—but we need some
young blood and more entertainment. When college kids
come to the track, they enjoy it.
Tell me why the Pegasus World Cup is so important to you.
The richest race in the world is very appealing, and it has
California Chrome and Arrogate in the race too. Many people
perceive racing as a losing money sport, but a lot of the money
is actually invested in breeding. This race is giving owners the
opportunity to make money in racing—it’s going to add an-
other big milestone to Thoroughbred racing.
What in the world of horse racing would you like to change?
The NBA has a commissioner and so does the NFL. I think we
need a head commissioner. Someone who can set one straight
rulebook and jurisdiction. We need to align and have someone
who could come in and lay down one run for everyone.
THE YOUN G BLO OD: J USTIN Z AYAT
R acing and St allion Manager at Z ayat St ables
You launched BSW Bloodstock in 2014. What differentiates
BSW Bloodstock?
What differentiates the business is that every horse we buy,
we also manage and stay involved with for the remainder
of their lives. It is a two-part business: one is management,
and two is buying proven horses. We are one of the largest
private buyers in the U.S. and once we purchase a horse,
we more often than not stay in on a piece of the horse and
manage its career. We are involved in the management of
more than 300 racehorses as a result.
You made an interesting transition—going from business
manager for Ahmed Zayat’s Zayat Stables to eventually
taking the role of racing manager. How did this transition
take place?
I studied business in college and when Mr. Zayat was
reorganizing the company in 2009, I was originally hired as
a business/finance manager. I had never been involved in
managing a racehorse in my life. After the reorganization
process was successfully completed, I had just finished a year
of learning from one of the best racing managers: Mr. Zayat
himself. He decided to expand my role and make me racing
manager for his 100-horse racing stable. I spent two years in
this role and during that time Zayat Stables was nominated
for an Eclipse Award as leading owner and ran second in the
Kentucky Derby.
How do you envision your contributions changing the
sport?
I am very active at all of the major race meets throughout the
year and active on social media daily. My work has become
my life with 45-plus weekends a year attending races. I am so
lucky I can make a living in my passion and hobby and I hope
my enthusiasm and knowledge for racing helps others, be it
my competitors, owners, clients, friends, fans, etc. I want my
enthusiasm and passion to rub off.
What changes do you think are needed in order to move
the sport forward?
I think the main objective should be to continue to draw
in new owners and to enhance the racing experiences for
existing owners by providing top-notch services and improv-
ing racetrack facilities and race-day experiences. What The
Stronach Group has done with Santa Anita and Gulfstream
Park are key examples of elegant spaces that make going to
the races fun again.
THE CONFIDAN T: BR ADLEY WEISB ORD
B SW Bloodstock Advisor to Al Shaqab R acing
P E G A S U S 53
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You joined Airdrie Stud in 2006. How has your role changed
over the last 10 years?
I formally joined the Airdrie workforce in 2006, but I don’t ever
remember a time in my life when my plan wasn’t to be part of
Airdrie. I first started working on the farm with the mares and
foals when I was 10 and the cupola of our stallion barn was my
favorite secret hideout. After I graduated college, I worked at
the Irish National Stud before returning to the farm and have
been here ever since. My role has evolved in that in my early
years, I felt like a sponge, learning everything I could from my
dad. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been fortunate that Dad and I
have developed a great collaborative relationship. I am lucky
to learn from him.
Describe your day-to-day responsibilities at Airdrie.
We’ve just completed the auction season, during which we
sold around 100 yearlings, 20 weanlings, and a handful of
mares through either the Fasig-Tipton or Keeneland auction
houses. During those sales, my job is to be out front with our
consignment answering the questions of our potential buyers
and hopefully promoting the prospects that we’re offering. I
couldn’t love it more than I do.
The sales are a rush and I actually go through withdrawal
when our final horse has gone through the ring. That said, we
then turn our attention to the breeding season. We currently
stand eight stallions at Airdrie. My job is to help promote the
horses by speaking with breeders directly in person or on the
phone, telling them why I believe their mare is right for one of
our stallions. I also work to promote our stallions through our
various print and online ad campaigns. Throughout the year,
I am intensely focused on landing the next Airdrie stallion—
meaning that I’m closely monitoring the most talented horses
in training and working to build relationships with their con-
nections to put ourselves in a position to one day stand their
horse at stud. It’s not unlike a college basketball coach track-
ing high school prospects, and, like those coaches, a lot of our
future success will be determined by our abilities to recognize
and attract talent. Not much is more fulfilling than buying into
a horse that you believe can help shape the future of the farm.
You’ve been a Breeders’ Cup board director since 2011
and were recently appointed to the Kentucky State Rac-
ing Commission. Why is taking on other industry roles
important to you?
It’s very important. I’ve been lucky that my dad has always
been understanding of my wanting to spend time with
organizations that I really believe in. The Breeders’ Cup has
been my favorite weekend of the year ever since I cashed
a ticket on Concern in the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Classic. To
be able to play a very small role in helping to oversee its
direction has been a source of great enjoyment for me. The
Breeders’ Cup is one of the industry’s true success stories
and my great hope is that Mr. Stronach’s Pegasus Stakes will
enjoy that same success. I’m also very proud to have a role
on our state Racing Commission and I’m very thankful that
our group consists of individuals who have a real understand-
ing of the industry and a great desire to improve it. When
your future hinges on the success of the sport and you’re
capable of being helpful, I really feel there’s a responsibility to
be involved.
What changes do you think are needed in order to move
the sport forward and how do you think you can contrib-
ute to this evolution?
I think if you ask the most knowledgeable people in the
industry about what major change is needed to improve the
sport, they all would tell you that there needs to be a central
authority in horse racing. There are so many positives in our
sport, but a real shortcoming is that often the changes that
need to be implemented can be glacial in speed because of
individual state regulations or divisions amongst different
industry groups. It’s a hindrance to all of the different com-
ponents that are vital to horse racing: gambling, promotion,
medication, media and Thoroughbred welfare, to name
just a few. I continue to believe that the industry will come
together to create the uniformity needed. It’s a wonderful
sport that can be made better. My continued goal is that, at
the end of the day, I will be able to look back and know that
I’ve made meaningful contributions to help get us there. �
THE C H AIR M AN: BRET JONE S
Bloodstock Ser vices , a Breeders’ Cup Board D irector s ince 2011 and a
founding steer ing committee member of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association
P E G A S U S 54
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P E G A S U S 56
R O S T E R
ADENA SPRINGS
CALIFORNIA CHROME, LLC
COOLMORE PARTNERSHIP
DAN SCHAFER
RONALD AND JERRY FRANKEL
JIM MCINGVALE
MOUSTAPHA FOSTOCK, EARLE I. MACK, LLC, CHESTER BROMAN, SR.
REDDAM RACING, LLC
REEVES THOROUGHBRED RACING
ROSEDOWN RACING STABLES
RUIS RACING, LLC
STARLIGHT PEGASUS PARTNERS
THE STAKEHOLDERSSoon after the Pegasus World Cup Invitational was announced, the sport’s top owners and
enthusiasts quickly secured slots for the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race.
Get to know the stakeholders who are currently holding the gate.
Visit PegasusWorldCup.com to stay up to date on the current roster of stakeholders.
N AT I O N A L M E M B E R S H I P S AVA I L A B L E O C A L A , F L O R I DA — H O R S E C A P I TA L O F T H E W O R L D
AD EN A C L U B . COM
A lavish life of leisure starts here
Frank Stronach
P E G A S U S 59
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE FRANK STRONACH
Frank Stronach, founder and honorary chairman of The Stronach Group, North America’s
leading Thoroughbred racetrack operator and one of the world’s largest suppliers of
pari-mutuel wagering systems, is also one of the world’s leading Thoroughbred owners and
breeders. We sat down with Frank to find out more about the man who’s behind the upcoming race.
What inspired the creation of the Pegasus World Cup
Invitational?
We wanted to create a classic race, like the Triple Crown
or the Breeders’ Cup, that would attract the best horses
in the world. But we also wanted to do something very
innovative that had never been done before. That’s where
we came up with the idea of having 12 horse owners each
kick in $1 million for a spot at the starting gate, with all of
the owners sharing in the profits from the race and one of
us going home with the biggest purse in history. Finally,
we wanted to enhance the entertainment around the race
and offer not just great live racing but also great music
and food and great fun—an overall unforgettable day at
the racetrack.
Where did the name Pegasus come from?
We recently built the world’s largest horse sculpture and
one of the largest bronze statues ever made at the en-
tranceway to Gulfstream Park. It’s called Pegasus and
Dragon, and it shows the mythical Pegasus standing tri-
umphantly over a fallen dragon. It pays homage to the
courage, speed, and power of the horse. Pegasus repre-
sents greatness, victory, soaring to the highest heights—
everything this race stands for.
What inspired you to build the monument?
I built it for a number of reasons. First, I wanted to pay
tribute to the great contributions that horses have made
to human civilization throughout history—everything
from the horses and chariots of ancient Rome to the cow-
boys who opened up the American West. I also wanted
to create something spectacular next to Gulfstream Park
that would draw people to the racetrack. Within the dome
at the base of the monument, we’re building a theme park
ride called The Flight of the Pegasus. It takes guests for a
thrilling ride of a lifetime on the back of Pegasus as he goes
into battle against a dragon—a classic tale of good versus evil. How did you get involved in horse racing?
I bought my first horse in the early 1960s, a riding horse
named Tanjo. Back in those days, I was working around the
clock to build my business and horses were an outlet for me.
One day, the farmer who sold me Tanjo asked me to go the
racetrack with him, and I have been hooked ever since. I fell
in love with the thrill of betting on a horse and seeing races
that usually went down to the wire, but most of all with the
beauty, speed, and power of the horses.
You once called the horse business a labor of love. What is
it about the sport that you love so much?
Where else can you go and spend time outdoors and enjoy
a meal and drinks with your family and friends while watch-
ing a thrilling race with some money on the line? I also love
the people you meet on the racetrack—some of the most
colorful characters in the world, everyone from celebrities
and millionaires to the die-hard bettors studying the Daily
Racing Form.
Tell us something about you that most people don’t know.
What’s your favorite music?
I’m a big Johnny Cash fan. And I also love the King, Elvis.
What is your dream or ambition at this point in your
career?
It’s funny how your dreams and goals in life can change.
When I was a young boy, my older sister had a red bicycle,
and for several years, my greatest desire in the whole world
was to one day own a red bicycle!
Life has been incredibly great to me and I have all that any
person could wish for. What I’d really like to do at this point
in my career is create new businesses and also dedicate a
portion of my time to building a better society, a society that
gives more people the chance to attain economic freedom.
That’s what really drives me. �
The late Gianni Versace, who built a gilded palazzo across the street from the Atlantic on South
Beach’s famed Ocean Drive, once said that in Miami, nothing was done until it was overdone. And
while he could have been describing his own style as a fashion designer, it’s been a common refrain
through the years: whatever happens in Miami, happens big.
Take Art Basel Miami Beach, the largest and most prestigious contemporary art fair in the United States, which
just celebrated its 15th year in a city that in the same stretch of time has grown exponentially, creating serious cul-
tural infrastructure, building significant architecture and shaking off some of its reputation for being laid-back, in
favor of being more polished. Same with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which in February celebrates its
16th year. It started out a small and decorous wine-tasting event on the north campus of Florida International Uni-
versity benefiting its hospitality school. But when it moved to South Beach in 2001, it exploded into the country’s
largest luxury bacchanal, quickly surpassing the granddaddy of wine-tasting events, the Aspen Food & Wine Classic.
Now comes the Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park, the world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race
with its $12 million purse and its promise of a star-studded, weekend-long celebration. As big and as glamorous as
it is expected to be in its first year, the smart wager is on the Pegasus growing bigger and more glamorous over time.
Like these epic events that have put South Florida on the global map, there are a handful of innovators whose
countless contributions continue to shape our tropical metropolis. Here we share a piece of their history and their
passion for Miami alongside a visual guide curated by Seth Browarnik of World Red Eye, all revealing the true
magic of this city.
opposite page: Floatopia, Miami Beach, 2015. this page: Ultra Music Festival, 2011.
P E G A S U S 61
South Florida icons share what makes their city shine
by Lydia Martin photography by Seth Browarnik
JORGE M. PÉREZ, chairman and CEO of The Re-
lated Group, one of the country’s leading real estate
conglomerates, is the leading force behind Greater
Miami’s vertical manifest destiny. He is also a major
collector of Latin American art and the namesake of
the Herzog & de Meuron-designed Pérez Art Mu-
seum Miami (PAMM) on the edge of Biscayne Bay
in downtown Miami.
Most people have a sense, true or outdated, about
what a New Yorker is. Same with a Chicagoan. Is
there such a thing as a Miamian? A Miamian is ful-
ly at ease with different cultures, different languages,
different customs and different foods. A Miamian
thrives on all of that. When my company looks to
hire people, for example, we can tell quickly who will
thrive here and who is at ease with the noise, the dif-
ferent languages and attitudes.
Does Miami have its own style? Miami is about
tropical elegance. A shirt open at the collar, a fitted
sports coat with a pocket handkerchief. We are one
of the few companies where people come to work in
a suit and tie. We are very Wall Street. But more and
more, people in Miami’s business world opt for no
tie. The weather means we are a little more casual.
I can’t think of a single restaurant in Miami that re-
quires you to put on a jacket. In Europe, there are
still many places that do.
When you look out across the city’s new skyline,
what does it say to you? I think of Miami archi-
tecture as having been defined by Arquitectonica
as tropical modern. But broadly, it’s about the light
coming through the buildings, the use of color,
forms that are happy. Our buildings tend to be more
playful than counterparts in, say, New York or Chi-
cago. In general, there is an openness—wide balco-
nies and wide windows. We follow the light and the
line of the water.
Where would you send visitors to get a glimpse of
the best Miami has to offer? I think the most Miami
of all of our neighborhoods is Coconut Grove, where
I happen to live. It’s the oldest part of the city, where
Miami was born. And there is such a great tropi-
cal lushness there, plus a gorgeous waterfront and
historic homes. It has that great sidewalk café life
that is so reflective of Miami. I like to send people to
South Beach too, to the art deco district, because it
is unique in the world and represents another piece
of the city’s rich history. South Beach is more hectic,
and Coconut Grove more laid-back, but both are
very special places in this city.
top: Pérez Art Museum Miami. bottom: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
P E G A S U S 62
BONNIE CLEARWATER, director and chief cu-
rator of the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, is
one of South Florida’s truest art-world pioneers
and champions
How would you describe the prototypical South
Floridian? Warm, welcoming, inquisitive, and
cosmopolitan.
Has South Florida finally shaken off its rep for
being surface-oriented and lowbrow? We have
reached a certain level of cultural maturity here.
There is still the Miami glitz and glamour, but
there is also a lot of sophistication and substance
and intellectual inquiry—a desire to come together
through ideas and through art and culture. We are
one of the most diverse regions, and there may be
similar diversity in other American cities, but here,
the diversity mixes. There is always a sense of cross-
cultural exchange.
Is there a specific style to Miami-made art? I
would say art here is about individuality. There is
not a Miami style or school. Artists are focused on
what is true to them. They have their own unique
passions. I’m constantly finding new artists who are
intriguing to me. There is an awareness of life that
they all bring to their work, but it’s about being self-
driven and attempting very individual statements.
Where do you take out-of-towners for dinner? I
love to take people to Coconuts on the Intracoastal
in Fort Lauderdale. The food is great and you can
watch all the boats come in. It’s beautiful at sunset.
I also take them to the Pelican Grand Beach Re-
sort. It’s one of few places in South Florida where
you find fine dining right on the ocean. We recently
took [famed contemporary artist] Francesco Clem-
ente to both places and he says he can’t wait to come
back and go to them again. In Miami Beach, I love
Byblos for the great Mediterranean food. But it’s
also a beautiful location. The interiors are reflective
of what we’re talking about in terms of Miami style:
the internationalism, the color, the unique rather
than the corporate look.
“THERE IS AN AWARENESS
OF LIFE THAT THEY ALL BRING
TO THEIR WORK, BUT IT’S
ABOUT BEING SELFDRIVEN
AND ATTEMPTING VERY
INDIVIDUAL STATEMENTS.”
—Bonnie Clearwatertop: Ocean Drive in South Beach, Miami. bottom: The Climate Ribbon at Brickell City Centre.
DAVID GRUTMAN, undisputed king of
Miami nightlife and one of the most impor-
tant figures in electronic dance music is the
owner of LIV Nightclub, Komodo and much,
much more.
What do you love most about Miami? You
can travel around the world, but when you
return to Miami, it’s like a breath of fresh air
to come home. Why I choose to be here has
everything to do with the lifestyle. There’s
just lightness. It’s sunny every day, so you’re
not confined indoors by the weather. It’s still
in such a growing phase too. It isn’t just about
South Beach anymore.
Where do you take out-of-town guests to
show off the real Miami? To Garcia’s Seafood
Grille & Fish Market on the Miami River for
some authentic, Cuban-Miami seafood dish-
es. And for a taste of Miami at night, I’d take
them to Komodo on Brickell. That’s where
Miami is having more of a dinner party. Mi-
ami’s culinary presence keeps growing, and
one of the things the city does so well is com-
bining the dining scene with a big night out
on the town.
The local landmark not to be missed? The
Fontainebleau Hotel. It’s one of the most
historic places in Miami. There are not too
many cities with such an iconic hotel. When
you think about Paris, maybe you think about
the Ritz. When you think about Miami, it’s
the Fontainebleau, which has been a focal
point during several different eras. Even if
you don’t stay there or go to LIV, there are
some great restaurants on the property. Or at
least go there and have ice cream or a coffee
and take a look around.
What makes LIV so hot so many years in?
And how does a mere mortal get past the
velvet ropes? It succeeds because it’s not just
about people raging. It’s really a curated ex-
perience. We don’t just turn some music on;
we bring in all of the world’s top DJs. It’s also
about the live performances—the acrobats fly-
ing from the ceiling, the light shows. How to
get in? Book a table ahead of time. Or bring
lots of girls. Some book a table and bring lots
of girls.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Fontainebleau Hotel, 2008.
P E G A S U S 64
Miami native NINA JOHNSONMILEWSKI be-
came a pioneer in the Wynwood/Design District
area with Gallery Diet, which now resides in a com-
pound in Little Haiti and is known as the Nina John-
son Gallery.
How would you describe the soul of Miami? Mul-
ticultural, transient, still a little bit of a Wild West.
We’re in a perennial state of becoming, which is
what makes us so interesting and dynamic. And I
hope that never changes. Miami is still in its ado-
lescence, but that’s what gives us our energy and
fiery drive.
How do you explain Miami’s sense of fashion?
The Latin culture here in particular is about
heightened femininity. Women tend to wear six-
inch stilettos everywhere. But then again, it’s not
so much a walking city, so they can get away with
it. The hot fashion brands are about the bold and
the glam: Versace, Cavalli, Moschino. We’re a
tropical place, and people are not afraid to bare
skin. It’s also not a place where people are trying
to hide what they have or how much they have ac-
complished. It’s not a rarity in Miami to find a man
who gets regular manicures. In Miami, plenty of
men would not think twice about wearing a white
blazer with a pink button-down and a gilded pinky
ring. Maybe it’s related to the idea of the Southern
dandy and the Cuban rooster. But you kind of fluff
your feathers here.
What is your favorite escape into nature? If you
come to Miami you should not miss spending a
morning in the Everglades, especially in the winter.
People don’t always take the time to appreciate the
gorgeous ecosystem we have here, just at the edge
of the city. It’s not a six-hour drive into the middle
of nowhere. It’s less than an hour and it’s something
you can’t experience anywhere else. It gives you
such an appreciation for Miami’s history to be in
that extraordinary swamp.
Which restaurants do you recommend to visi-
tors who want a true taste of the 305? Clive’s Café
near my gallery is really a treasure. It’s been around
since the 1970s, first in Wynwood and now on 58th
Street. There’s nothing I wouldn’t recommend:
the jerk chicken, curry shrimp, rice and peas. It’s
a true reflection of Miami, drawing a clientele that
is a hodgepodge of backgrounds and experiences.
Naomi’s Garden on 71st Street is great for Haitian
food. And it’s the real deal. You can sit in the garden
and have the most amazing stews and seafood.
Real estate developer and local boy CRAIG ROBINS, an
early force behind the revival of South Beach, set his sights
on another historic but moribund enclave in the mid 1990s;
this time, across the causeway on the mainland. The Design
District was already home to a few high-end furniture and
design stores. But there was no foot traffic, no real place
to eat, nothing but sketchiness around it. By night, it was
no place to wander. Today, thanks to Robin’s vision, the
Design District is known as the SoHo of the South, or the
tropical Rodeo Drive. It is home to some of the city’s most
acclaimed restaurants, exclusive art galleries, high-design
furniture showrooms, and the world’s biggest names in
luxury shopping: Chrome Hearts, Fendi, Harry Winston,
Hermès, Versace and the rest. It isn’t just one of Miami’s most
glamorous spots; it is a major catalyst for an endless amount
of growth and upscaling around it. Robins is also one of the
figures responsible for bringing the Art Basel fair to Miami,
a catalyst for the city in its own right. In 2005 he founded the
collectible furniture and design fair, Design Miami, which
runs with Art Basel Miami Beach each December and with
the original Art Basel fair in Switzerland each June.
What gives Miami its sex appeal? That has evolved
over time. When you go back to the 1950s and the
Fontainebleau Hotel, when Frank Sinatra and Sammy
Davis, Jr. were around, we were the precursor to Las Vegas.
It was about fun in the sun and partying like the Rat Pack.
By the 1970s Miami, and especially Miami Beach, had
declined. But then the revival of South Beach in the late
1980s and early 1990s put us back on the map, and what
drove that new wave, beyond the fun in the sun, was that
we were on the edge of fashion, film, and music. Then we
morphed into what we are today, a city that’s still about fun
in the sun, but also a city known for its cultural substance.
What makes this a unique place in the world? Like
some of the other major cities in the world, such as Hong
Kong, for example, there are elements to Miami that are
impossible to compare with anyplace else. Miami is its
own iteration of an international city. It’s Caribbean, Latin,
European. We’re a young city that doesn’t have the
historically entrenched institutions of a city like New
York—but that’s our strength. We have an ability to be
nimble, to transform and evolve quickly, which you can
see in how different Miami is today compared with even a
decade ago. What’s striking about Miami today is that we
are both a sophisticated urban center with great art and
culture and also a tropical paradise where you can lay back
under a coconut tree. We’ve reconciled those things.
How do you get your fun in the sun? I love going to the very
end of Key Biscayne, to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Just to walk to the water’s edge and get a look at Stitsville
out in the bay is amazing. Also, there’s Matheson Hammock
Park just south of Coconut Grove. I love to take a bike ride
or walk through and just see the mangroves and all of that
original South Florida landscape. What’s great about these
two places is that they explain the idea of Miami as both a
real urban place and a tropical paradise. You can have one
of the most beautiful experiences in the world right in the
middle of the city.
What are your go-to Miami restaurants? There are so many
great restaurants throughout Miami these days. I love MC
Kitchen, Michael’s Genuine, Mandolin Agean Bistro, Alter. �
top: Diner En Blanc in the Design District, 2015. bottom: Heineken’s “Save Your Seat” campaign at the Miami Marine Stadium, 2016.
P E G A S U S 66
P E G A S U S 68
S L U G T K
P E G A S U S 69
PURE AND SIMPLEMake a statement with minimal moments that speak volumes
photographer HANS NEUMANN fashion editor JENNIFER SMITH
this page: Jewelry by Paula Mendoza. Black jumpsuit, Tucker by Gaby Basora. opposite page: Dzojchen ivory pinstriped jumpsuit paired with vintage gold necklace.
P E G A S U S 70
this page: Ivory silk striped
blouse by Jil Sander. Black
bodysuit by Cosabella. Pistachio
tuxedo pants by Phillip Lim 3.1.
opposite page: White blouse by
Audra. Black leather kimono belt
is ANNA NYC by Kathy Kemp
black leather kimono belt.
P E G A S U S 72
this page: Blouse by Marc Jacobs. Tuxedo pants by Pierre Balmain. Jewelry by Paula Mendoza. opposite page: Cream satin romper by Pierre Balmain.
Black super-fine tulle socks by Pan and the Dream. “Love Latch” gold platform sandals by Valentino. Jewelry by Paula Mendoza.
P E G A S U S 74
AROUND THE CORNERSee how The Stronach Group is quickly transforming classic tracks
into entertainment meccas
P E G A S U S 75
PH
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PR
OV
IDE
D B
Y G
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this page, top: The Gulfstream Grandstand, early 1960s. bottom left: The Clubhouse turn, 1970. bottom right: A day at the races, 1950s.
P E G A S U S 76
PH
OTO
GR
AP
HY
BY
WO
RLD
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YE.C
OM
(GU
LFS
TR
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M A
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IAL)
; OP
PO
SIT
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AG
E: P
HO
TOG
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PH
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BY
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top: Gulfstream Park, 1950s. bottom: Gulfstream Park, 2016.
top left: Taping of The Jackie Gleason Show at Gulfstream Park, 1966. top right: John Legend and Rick Ross, 2013. middle: James Murphy of LCD Sound System at Gulfstream Park, 2015. bottom left: Hugh Hefner and guests, 1999.
bottom right: Frank Sinatra and Raquel Welch filming “Lady in Cement,” 1968
P E G A S U S 78
L A U R E L P A R K
top: The track, 2010. right: Out of the Gate, 2015.
LAUREL PARKSince 1911, Laurel Park has been recognized as one of the
most revered tracks in all of Thoroughbred horse racing.
Located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.,
Laurel Park is a part of the world renowned Maryland
Jockey Club, founded in 1743.
PH
OTO
GR
AP
HY
BY
JIM
McC
UE
PH
OTO
GR
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BY
TK
P E G A S U S 80
PH
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The stakes at the 2016 Preakness at Pimlico
Race Course were raised not just on the
track but off, at the exclusive Owners’ Chalet
hosted by The Stronach Group. The VIP
experience offered a pristine view of both
the finish line and Winner’s Circle as well as
access to the legendary Infield Fest concert
featuring headliners The Chainsmokers and
Fetty Wap. A record 136,000 guests flocked
to the day of dynamic entertainment
including rapper 50 Cent, Chef Bobby Flay,
former Miss USA Olivia Culpo, Maryland
Governor Larry Hogan and others.
The 141st PREAKNESS
High stakes at Pimlico
DJ Frank Walker
Fetty Wap
Kent Desormeaux
P I M L I C O R A C E C O U R S E
50 Cent
Olivia Culpo, Chef Bobby Flay
and Gabrielle Labrecque
PH
OTO
GR
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BY
SE
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OS
S P
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S
The Chandelier Room at Santa Anita
Park was bubbling with excitement
when The Stronach Group, in partner-
ship with h.wood Group and John
Terzian hosted “A Day at the Races” to
celebrate the Royal Ascot. Guests en-
joyed exclusive access inside Santa Anita
Park’s VIP areas including the Chande-
lier Room, the Chandelier Balcony and
the Chairman’s Lounge. The day was
filled with horse racing and delicious
cocktails and cuisine, followed by an
afterparty celebration with an intimate
performance by Jesse Jo Stark & Midnite
Men, DJ Frank Walker and celebrity DJ
Mark Ronson.
A Day at the RacesSanta Anita Park welcomes guests
for a day of music and magic
S A N T A A N I T A P A R K
Kevin Dillon and Shannon Lewis
Mark Ronson and John Terzian
Paul Oakenfold
P E G A S U S 81
Miami Design District
P E G A S U S 84
I N C L O S I N G
The world’s richest Thoroughbred horse race
GULFSTREAM PARK, MIAMI | Sat Jan 28 | Tickets available at PegasusWorldCup.com
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