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Breeders' Cup Overview

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A group of horse racing leaders in 1982, wanted to come up with a design on how to promote the sport of racing, affectionately referred to as the “Sport of Kings”. John R. Gaines, leading thoroughbred owner and breeder, and his group came up with the Breeders’ Cup.

November 7, 1984 was the date of the first Breeder’s Cup race, in Hollywood Park Racetrack, located in Inglewood, California. 64,625 Breeders’ Cup fans were in attendance to take part in the inaugural event and 50 million viewers tuned in to see Chief‘s Crown win the first running of the Breeders‘ Cup. Here’s a historic fact about the Breeders’ Cup racing birth place: It opened in 1938, and one of the original chairmen of Hollywood Park was Jack Warner (of the Warner Bros. fame). Hollywood Park’s 600 shareholders included Walt Disney, Bing Crosby, Sam Goldywn and others.

The Breeders’ Cup is composed of eight races within one track. Churchill Downs has hosted five Breeders’ Cup races, with this year‘s running making six, more than any other track. The location of the Breeders’ Cup changes every year. So far, the race has been held in California (Hollywood Park- 1984, 1987, and 1997; Santa Anita Park-1986, 1993, and 2003 ), Florida (Gulf Stream Park-1989, 1992, and 1999), Illinois (Arlington Park-2002), Kentucky (Churchill Downs-1988, 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, and 2006), New York (Aqueduct-1985; Belmont Park-1990, 1995, 2001, and 2005), and Toronto (Woodbine-1996). In 2007, the Breeders’ Cup will be held in New Jersey, at Monmouth Park.

As an international showcase of the sport’s greatest stars, the Breeders’ Cup is a multi-million dollar event. Owners and trainers from all over the world compete in the Breeders’ Cup for their respective national pride. England, Ireland, France, Japan, and Germany are only some of the countries that enter the Breeders’ Cup.

The Breeders’ Cup races are compiled these racing categories: Juvenile, Juvenile Fillies, Distaff, Filly and Mare Turf (which features females age three and up), Sprint, Mile, Turf, and Classic. The last three races are open to both sexes. In addition, the Turf and Classic races are traditionally last, and the additional six races are scheduled in various orders each year. The Breeders’ Cup Classic race is the richest race, set at $5 million for the 2006 running. The Turf race has a $3 million purse, and the other six races are set at $2 million for a total of $20 million in prize money.

Over 25 countries broadcast the running of the Breeders’ Cup. The eight races are seen throughout the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and Australia. NBC has broadcast every Breeders’ Cup since 1984. ESPN takes the reigns in 2006, securing the broadcast for the next eight years. The difference in the ESPN Breeders’ Cup broadcast is that the race will be shown for two more hours.

On Point is an independent Breeders’ Cup travel package and ticket broker that specializes in sports travel packages and tickets to high demand events worldwide. The sports travel packages we offer can be catered to your individual desires and are sure to be an unforgettable experience. Though we offer pre-planned Breeders’ Cup travel packages, with the many options we have available, On Point can arrange customized Breeders’ Cup packages that no one else in the industry can provide.

To request a quote for a Breeders’ Cup package or to discover more of what On Point can do for you and your private party, contact us today at 713-227-8888 to speak with one of our executive travel consultants. You can also call our Travel Agent Hotline at 800-809-1277 or e-mail us at info@onpointevents.com.