The Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships will be televised by ESPN
beginning in 2006, officials announced Friday. The Breeders’ Cup, which consists
of eight races with purses and awards totaling $14 million, has aired on NBC
since it’s inception in 1984.
Among the key points of the eight-year agreement are:
A live seven-hour telecast of the Breeders’ Cup, which is two hours longer
than the current coverage.
ESPN and ABC Sports will air five two-hour telecasts from June through
October featuring major stakes races leading up to the Breeders’ Cup.
An extension from 2008 through 2013 of the “Racing to the Kentucky Derby” and
“Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships” series on ESPN and ESPN2. The
agreement also includes the extension through 2013 of the weekly “Wire2Wire”
racing magazine and highlights show on ESPN2.
“This is an extraordinary multi-media agreement highlighted by unprecedented
television coverage for the Breeders’ Cup and Thoroughbred racing,” Breeders’
Cup Ltd. President and NTRA Commissioner D.G. Van Clief Jr. said. “It solidifies
our sport’s presence on television and a broad spectrum of media platforms for
the next eight years.
“We are also looking forward to working with ESPN in reaching a younger
demographic of fans who will enjoy the excitement of Thoroughbred racing.”
The current contract with NBC Sports will conclude following the broadcast of
the Breeders’ Cup on October 29 at Belmont Park. The 2006 Breeders’ Cup will be
held at Churchill Downs.