Breeder's Cup - A Gathering of the World's Best Thoroughbreds

The primary goal of Breeders' Cup Limited is to buildan obscure French-based runner named Arcangues
positive public awareness of Thoroughbred racing andpulling the biggest upset in Breeders' Cup history,
to expand opportunities for enhancement of thewinning the 1993 Classic and paying $269.20 to
Thoroughbred industry. These objectives are firstwin?Horses have journeyed from as far away as
accomplished through the Breeders' Cup WorldJapan to compete in the Breeders' Cup. It truly has
Thoroughbred Championships, a year-end internationalbecome the foremost international racing event. "The
showcase of the sport's greatest stars. Additionally,program was looked at as a revolutionary step when
the Breeders' Cup supports these goals through theit started, but now it is considered part of the fabric
funding of a year-round series of stakes races,of American racing," says Breeders' Cup president D.
consumer marketing programs and nationally televisedG. Van Clief, Jr.The Breeders' Cup continues to grow
races.The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbredin popularity because of its prestige and keen level of
Championships culminates the racing season andcompetition. Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky,
crowns the fleetest sprinters, the most promisingholds the records for both attendance and total
two-year-olds, the best turf horses. The right to bewagering. The renowned racecourse attracted
called the best of the best belongs, many would80,452 spectators in 1998 and when Breeders' Cup
argue, to the winner of the day's final and richestcame back to Louisville in 2000, over $108 million was
race: the $4 million Breeders' Cup Classic.wagered.But the Breeders' Cup is known beyond the
The Breeders' Cup is non-stop action from theborders of the particular host track. NBC has
moment the horses step onto the track for the firsttelevised the event since its inception, providing a
race, the Distaff, until the garland is draped acrossdegree of air time unprecedented in Thoroughbred
the shoulders of the Classic winner at dusk.racing. The network's coverage has won Eclipse
Heart-stopping finishes, stunning upsets, internationalAwards for National Television Achievement and the
glamour, old-fashioned fun - Breeders' Cup has itOutstanding Live Sports Special of 1992 at the 14th
all.Racing's richest event is truly a movable feast. EachEmmy Awards for Sports annual ceremony.The
fall, a different North American track plays host tobuildup to the Breeders' Cup begins well in advance
the Breeders' Cup in a unique and special way. Oneof the Championship day. NTRA's "Racing to the
year finds it at Churchill Downs with its rich trove ofBreeders' Cup" on ESPN gets the momentum started
history, another at stately Belmont Park, the next atin early summer and continues through mid-October.
panoramic Santa Anita in the foothills of the SanThe nationally televised series consists of dozens of
Gabriel Mountains. Major tracks compete aggressivelystakes races at major tracks across the country and
for the right to stage the championship program andserves as racing's version of the playoffs.
each year's selection is eagerly awaited. At the sameIn addition to television, simulcasting - the
time, the revolving nature of the Breeders' Cuptransmission by satellite of actual races - has helped
ensures that it belongs to all of racing.That's justfurther the recognition of the Breeders' Cup. At the
what its founders envisioned when the concept ofsame time, the quality of the races on Championship
the Breeders' Cup took root in 1982. Racing's leadersday has made simulcast outlets eager to carry the
wanted a vehicle to promote the sport, a showcaseprogram.The number of outlets showing the telecast
for its finest elements, and a grand finale to theis growing by leaps and bounds. In 1984, the seven
racing season. The Championship races became theraces were beamed to 19 North American outlets,
cornerstone of a year-round program which haswhere patrons wagered $8 million. Today, over 1000
allocated more than $380 million to owners andoutlets handle in excess of $108 million. Expanding its
breeders since the inaugural 1984 event. The firstrecognition, the actual race signal is transmitted by
Breeders' Cup, at glitzy Hollywood Park, was ansatellite to simulcast outlets in over 25 countries,
instant hit.Since then, the Breeders' Cup has redefinedthroughout the Western Hemisphere, Europe and
the racing calendar - becoming the season-ending goalAustralia. The continued expansion of the Breeders'
for the best horses - and given the sport aCup simulcast across the world is a primary goal of
championship event much like the World Series or thethe Breeders' Cup.Major corporate sponsors also
Super Bowl. Most divisional champions crowned sincehave helped boost recognition of the Breeders' Cup.
1984 have participated in a Breeders' Cup race. InSponsors have included Buick, Alberto-Culver,
addition to the Classic, the other races are theBudweiser, Delta Air Lines, Emirates Airline, Mobil,
Juvenile and the Juvenile Fillies, the Distaff and theNational Car Rental, Visa and Sears.While sponsors
Filly & Mare Turf for females ages three and up; thehave brought added name recognition to the
Sprint, the Mile, and the Turf. The latter three areBreeders' Cup, Thoroughbred owners and breeders
open to horses of both sexes, as is the Classic.Thehave been its backbone since the beginning. They not
Breeders' Cup has provided racing with some of itsonly supply the horses which compete in Breeders'
finest moments. Images like these are indeliblyCup events, they pay the nominations from which
etched in its rich chronicles: the great Cigar ending histhe organization derives its major source of
perfect 1995 season with a thrilling victory in thefunding.Stallion owners annually pay a nomination fee
Breeders' Cup Classic; Personal Ensign courageouslythat is the equivalent of a stallion's advertised stud
inching past Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colorsfee, or a minimum of $1,000. Breeders pay a
to retire undefeated in 1988; Arazi swooping in fromnomination fee of $500 for each foal. Nominated
France and stunning all who saw him in the 1991horses are eligible to compete for millions in both the
Breeders' Cup Juvenile."Championship day isBreeders' Cup Stakes program and the Breeders' Cup
unquestionably racing's finest hour," says John R.World Thoroughbred Championships events.As an
Gaines, founding father of the Breeders' Cup andinternational program, the Breeders' Cup has instituted
former owner of Gainesway Farm near Lexington,a nomination process to breeders around the world.
Kentucky. "It defines our reason for being andAnnual nominations from all over the world have
elevates the spirit of an entire industry."Each year ismade the Breeders' Cup a global institution.In a short
special. Each year is better. One of the event's mosttime, the Breeders' Cup has been firmly established
exciting elements is the intense rivalry between Northas Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious event.
American and European contenders. In almost everyNothing can rival its millions in prize money or its
race, national pride is on the line. Owners and trainersinternational cast of talent. No other day of racing
from England, Ireland, France, Japan, and Germanycan match the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred
now circle the Breeders' Cup on their calendars andChampionships for non-stop excitement.The Breeders'
plan their horses' schedules accordingly.Dozens ofCup has accomplished what its founders set out to
European horses board cargo planes each fall anddo - and more. It remains the definitive test of
cross the Atlantic in search of the Breeders' Cup'schampions and has become racing's most
rich spoils. Their success in many of these races hasrecognizable and successful showpiece. It only
ensured that foreign horses keep coming back. Whopromises to improve in the years to come.Matthew
can forget the gallant French filly Miesque winningBass on behalf of Doug Dearen owner of a premiere
back-to-back editions of the Breeders' Cup Mile? Orthoroughbred racing package company.