Breeders Cup - About World Championships and Selection Process
John R.
Gaines, a leading breeder and thoroughbred owner made the announcement about the Breeders' Cup in April 1982.
This cup was not only a great step towards promoting racing in a positive manner but it also proved helpful in uniting the industry.
Today, Breeders' Cup has established itself as thoroughbred racing's season-ending championship.
With a history and tradition of its own, it also serves as a deciding factor in the voting for Eclipse Award (award for honoring Horse of the Year and other champions in the sport).
From the year 1984 to 2006, Breeders' Cup was conducted as a single day event and later it expanded to two days.
There is variation in the location every year; however, most of the sites have been in the United States, except in 1996 when the race was held in Canada.
Breeders' Cup was created as a year-end championship for North American thoroughbred racing.
Generally, it is considered to be one of the richest days in sports.
The second day, as of 2008 is the second richest.
The amount awarded in 2007 Breeders' Cup was approximately 20 million dollars and in 2008 it was 17 million dollars.
As compared to other stakes races, attendance at the Breeders' Cup ranks fifth in North America.
Besides the reward, the whither of the winning horse is draped with a garland of flowers.
Selection Process of the Breeders' Cup: In each of the 14 Breeders' Cup Championships, not more than 14 starters are allowed.
However, Juvenile Turf, Juvenile Fillies Turf and Dirt Mile are few exceptions that are limited to 12 starters.
A field selection system has been adopted by the Breeders' Cup Limited in order to select runners in the event fields.
The horses in this system are ranked in order of preference.
Some factors based on which the selection is done are: judgment of a racing expert panel, performance in races of Breeders' Cup Challenge, and a point system.
Classified as Grade I races, Breeders' Cup card included 8 races through 2006.
Three more races, Juvenile Turf, Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Sprint were added in 2007.
In 2008, three more races were added - a Turf Sprint, Marathon and Juvenile Filly Turf.
Throughout the history of this event, there have been several variations in the order of the races on the card.
Breeders' Cup in 2009 was held in Santa Anita Park during the Oak Tree Racing Association.
From 2007 to 2008, this event was expanded from 11 races to 14.
Gaines, a leading breeder and thoroughbred owner made the announcement about the Breeders' Cup in April 1982.
This cup was not only a great step towards promoting racing in a positive manner but it also proved helpful in uniting the industry.
Today, Breeders' Cup has established itself as thoroughbred racing's season-ending championship.
With a history and tradition of its own, it also serves as a deciding factor in the voting for Eclipse Award (award for honoring Horse of the Year and other champions in the sport).
From the year 1984 to 2006, Breeders' Cup was conducted as a single day event and later it expanded to two days.
There is variation in the location every year; however, most of the sites have been in the United States, except in 1996 when the race was held in Canada.
Breeders' Cup was created as a year-end championship for North American thoroughbred racing.
Generally, it is considered to be one of the richest days in sports.
The second day, as of 2008 is the second richest.
The amount awarded in 2007 Breeders' Cup was approximately 20 million dollars and in 2008 it was 17 million dollars.
As compared to other stakes races, attendance at the Breeders' Cup ranks fifth in North America.
Besides the reward, the whither of the winning horse is draped with a garland of flowers.
Selection Process of the Breeders' Cup: In each of the 14 Breeders' Cup Championships, not more than 14 starters are allowed.
However, Juvenile Turf, Juvenile Fillies Turf and Dirt Mile are few exceptions that are limited to 12 starters.
A field selection system has been adopted by the Breeders' Cup Limited in order to select runners in the event fields.
The horses in this system are ranked in order of preference.
Some factors based on which the selection is done are: judgment of a racing expert panel, performance in races of Breeders' Cup Challenge, and a point system.
Classified as Grade I races, Breeders' Cup card included 8 races through 2006.
Three more races, Juvenile Turf, Dirt Mile, Filly and Mare Sprint were added in 2007.
In 2008, three more races were added - a Turf Sprint, Marathon and Juvenile Filly Turf.
Throughout the history of this event, there have been several variations in the order of the races on the card.
Breeders' Cup in 2009 was held in Santa Anita Park during the Oak Tree Racing Association.
From 2007 to 2008, this event was expanded from 11 races to 14.