Breeders’ Cup News

Santa Anita to host 2009 Breeders Cup

Santa Anita race track has made history as first venue to host consecutive Breeders Cup events. Initially rumoured to be moved to Churchill Downs - the venue for the Kentucky Derby - officials have recently announced the the Breeders Cup will return to Santa Anita in 2009.

Three New Races Added to Breeder’s Cup Schedule

NEW YORK - JULY 17: Breeders' Cup Limited CEO Greg Avioli attends the Breeders' Cup Challenge official kick-off reception at ESPN Zone July 17, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)In 2007, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships were expanded to a two-day event, with the addition of three new races - the Filly & Mare Sprint, the Juvenile Turf and the Dirt Mile.

Announced in December 2007 by the Breeders’ Cup board of directors three new races are being added to the schedule for the Friday program - which will now be offering over $5 million in prize money.

The new races are

  • the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, for 3-year-olds and up, run over 6½ furlongs on grass
  • the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, run over one mile on grass
  • the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Marathon for 3-year-olds and up, over 1½ miles

The Turf Sprint will be held on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita Park, and is limited to 14 starters. In future years, the distance for the race may be altered to suit the courses at which the Breeders’ Cup is hosted.

The Juvenile Fillies Turf will be limited to 12 starters.

The new races join three $1-million Championships stakes inaugurated this year on Friday: the Filly & Mare Sprint, the Juvenile Turf, and the Dirt Mile.

Breeders’ Cup president and CEO, Greg Avioli, said that “The establishment of the three new races continues our aggressive expansion of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships as a pre-eminent international sports and entertainment property for our fans, sponsors, and television viewers around the globe.”