Lexington, KY – Rumors of Keeneland’s chances of hosting a Breeders’ Cup and reports that a deal was done have proven true as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held in its hometown of Lexington on Halloween weekend of 2015.
“The Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland is a homecoming for many of these great champions who were foaled and raised at central Kentucky farms, and often sold at Keeneland,” said Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason. “The Keeneland team feels that sense of connection and history with the Breeders’ Cup, and we look forward to offering fans an extraordinary racing and entertainment experience.”
In addition to 77 Keeneland sold horses winning 83 Breeders’ Cup races, the idea of the Breeders’ Cup was hatched by a group of Lexingtonians led by Gainesway Farm owner John Gaines in the early ‘80s. By 1984, the Breeeders’ Cup was ready to run its first day of championships at the end of the racing season.
By the time of Gaines’ death in 2005, the one-day of championship racing yielded eight races and an overall $14 million purse for the 20th anniversary of the Breeders’ Cup in 2004. This year’s installment on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Santa Anita, will see 13 races and a $26 million total purse.
“Throughout its storied history, Keeneland has developed an extraordinary reputation for delivering a first-class racing and hospitality product. We are excited to bring the Breeders’ Cup home to Lexington and are energized by the support from the local community and the breeders of Central Kentucky who have been such a vital part of our program since its inception,” said Breeders’ Cup Chairman Bill Farish, owner of Lane’s End Farm in Woodford County.
In addition to the announcement of Keeneland, the Breeders’ Cup revealed as reported last week that the two following championships would be held back on the west coast, 2016 at a place is often calls home, Santa Anita in Arcadia Calif. and in 2017 for the first time at Del Mar in San Diego.
A joint release from Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup states “the multi-year host site decision is part of Breeders’ Cup larger, forward-thinking growth strategy to showcase the best of what Thoroughbred racing has to offer and is an extension of the brand’s ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’ campaign which promises a curated Thoroughbred racing experience that will attract the best horses, the best owners and the best marketing partners.”