History of the Breeders Cup

History of the Breeders Cup

When compared to other large scale international horse races, the Breeders Cup World Championship is relatively new. During the early 1980′s, the owner of Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky felt the sport of horse racing needed a year ending championship that was divided into divisions of sex, age and racing surface. Rather than using an easily corruptible system of ballots to determine the annual champions he felt it would be more fair as well as more entertaining to have  a two day event where champions earned their titles in head to head races.

The Beginning of the Breeders Cup

Initially John R. Gaines did not receive very strong support from industry leaders including the major breeders of race horses as they would fund a sizable portion of the programs expenses through nomination fees. Finally in 1982 he received their support of the idea and agreed to help fund the Breeders Cup project. His first official announcement came at the Kentucky Derby where he unveiled the grand idea of an unprecedented $10,000,000 day of horse racing that would be headlined by a $3,000,000 race called the Breeders Cup Classic. In effort to keep the support of small breeders, he also came up with a plan called the Breeders Cup National Stakes program (now called the Breeders Cup Challenge).

Breeders Cup Adds Turf for Fillies and Mares

Over the past 15 years, the Breeders Cup World Championship has expanded from a single day 10 race event to a weekend long festival celebrating the international champions of horse racing. The best hoses from every major horse racing nation on the planet now compete for horse racing’s ultimate prize. In 1999 the Filly and Mare turf was introduced in the Breeders Cup at Gulfstream Park.

Breeders Cup Dirt Mile, Juvenile Turf and Marathon

2007 was a big year for the Breeders Cup World Championship as they added the Dirt Mile, Juvenile Turf as well as the Filly and Mare Sprint and the event expanded into two day format. At this point of the Breeders Cup, the total number of races had doubled from seven races to 14.

Race Tracks of the Breeders Cup

Historically the Breeders Cup has rotated between many tracks in North America. These tracks include Hollywood Park, Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Woodbine, Arlington Park and Lone Star Park. There have been only two race tracks to host back to back Breeders Cup World Championship events. The Oak Tree at Santa Anita and 2010 and 2011 in Churchill Downs.

The Future of the Breeders Cup History

The future of the Breeders Cup will be very interesting. Breeders Cup officials are currently planning on unveiling a new 10 year rotation schedule that will be permanent.