Singapore’s two International Group 1 races on 19 May have again attracted some of the best horses from around the globe at the first round of nominations.

The S$3 million Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m), which will be at its 13th running, has garnered a total of 91 entries while its sister sprint race, the S$1 million KrisFlyer International Sprint (1200m) who will be at its 8th renewal and is also the 4th Leg of the Global Sprint Challenge (GSC), has obtained 72 entries. In total, international entries hail from 14 countries along with a strong local contingent.

Taking pride of place on the SIA Cup’s list of stellar nominations is the well-travelled French galloper Cirrus Des Aigles, who at 131 points, is currently the highest-rated horse in training in the world.

While the 2011 European Champion Older Horse is a clear standout, the rest of the line-up is no less competitive, boasting for instance, more than 25 individual Group 1 winners and as many as 10 individual Derby winners in the ranks, namely Saonois (French Derby), Sangster (Victoria Derby), Eishin Flash (Japan Derby), Treasure Beach (Irish Derby), Unbridled Command (Hollywood Derby), not to forget our own Singapore Derby winner Chase Me.

Other entries sharing top billing include last year’s Hong Kong Vase winner Red Cadeaux, Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden, the Godolphin pair of Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso and Godolphin Mile winner African Story, who recently recorded back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar in Dubai.

The KrisFlyer Sprint, which comes under the GSC banner for the third time, has also attracted a star-studded line-up of the world’s best sprinters, featuring no fewer than 12 individual Group 1 winners.

The Singapore-trained winners of the last two editions, Rocket Man and Ato have both been entered by trainer Patrick Shaw, but the challenge from the visitors will be issued with renewed vigour this year, judging by the quality of their nominations.

Dual GSC Leg winner Lord Kanaloa (Sprinters Stakes and Hong Kong Sprint) will lead the foreign assault together with Godolphin’s former Australian and GSC Leg winner (Patinack Classic) Mental as well as 2011 Hong Kong Sprint winner Lucky Nine and South Africa’s Shea Shea, who recently smashed the 1000m course record at Meydan in the Meydan Sprint.

Last year’s KrisFlyer runner-up Mr Big will again raise hopes for the home team, which will also be strengthened up by the nomination of his stablemate, Singapore Horse of the Year Super Easy and local emerging stars such as Huka Falls and Emerald Hill.

Click here to view a list of nominations for the Singapore Airlines International Cup and the KrisFlyer International Sprint.