LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 29, 2020) –- Due to changes in racetrack schedules and auction sales dates as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the Breeders’ Cup announced today that it is extending the discount deadline for horses of racing age to Saturday, Aug. 15.

All horses must be Breeders’ Cup-nominated in order to compete in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Couse Lexington, Ky., Nov. 6-7.

The original horses of racing age nomination discount deadline was July 15.

“Although most Breeders’ Cup nominated horses join the program as weanlings, there are a few each year that didn’t get the Breeders’ Cup advantage as a foal,” said Dora Delgado, Breeders’ Cup Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer. “We created the horses of racing age nomination program to make sure all runners have a chance to compete in our racing programs including the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.  Now that racing has resumed in most locations, we believe our one-month extension will allow horsemen to better evaluate their racing stock and nominate to the Breeders’ Cup program, providing eligibility for their entire racing career.”

The nomination discounts are as follows:

• 2-year-olds by a nominated Breeders’ Cup stallion can join the program for US$12,000. This one-time nomination fee makes the racehorse Breeders’ Cup-eligible for its entire racing career.

• Runners which are 3-year-olds and older that were foaled in the Northern Hemisphere and sired by a nominated stallion will receive a 50% discount off normal racehorse nomination fees. Three-year-olds and older which were born in the Southern Hemisphere can be nominated for 25% of their regular nomination fee.

• All nominated racehorses are eligible for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will have purses and awards totaling more than $35 million this year, and for any other Breeders’ Cup racing program for their entire racing careers.

Following the Aug. 15 deadline, the price for all non-nominated runners reverts back to the standard racehorse nomination fee of US$100,000 or more until Oct. 26, when all runners must be pre-entered for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships races.

Owners may nominate their horses of racing age online at https://members.breederscup.com/Nomination/RacehorseNominationTerms1 or by calling the Breeders’ Cup Racing department at 859-514-9422.

Owners of horses of racing age by non-nominated stallions also can take advantage of discounted prices before Aug. 15. Two-year-olds by non-nominated stallions can join the program for US$18,000; Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and older for US$100,000 and Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds and older for US$50,000.

Below is the complete list of nomination prices and deadlines:

Horses of Racing Age sired by Nominated Stallion and Nominated before Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $12,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $50,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $25,000 (US)

Horses of Racing Age sired by Nominated Stallion and Nominated after Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $100,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $100,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $100,000 (US)

Sired by NON-Nominated Stallion and Nominated  before Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $18,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $100,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $50,000 (US)

Sired by NON-Nominated Stallion and Nominated after Aug. 15.

• Two-Year-Olds:   $200,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Northern Hemisphere-bred):   $200,000 (US)

• Three-Year-Olds & Up (Southern Hemisphere-bred):   $200,000 (US)

 

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About Breeders’ Cup

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.

The 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 6-7 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky and features a total of $35 million in purses and awards. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.