The Breeders’ Cup board of directors has approved new rules that will allow
horses to be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program at any time during their
racing careers, officials announced Friday. The changes are effective
immediately for the Breeders’ Cup stakes program and for this year’s Breeders’
Cup World Championships on November 4 at Churchill Downs.
According to the new system, owners of horses who were not nominated as foals
may now pay a one-time, $150,000 late nomination fee to make that horse part of
the Breeders’ Cup program for its entire career, if that horse was sired by a
stallion nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) or Common
Fund. If the horse was sired by a stallion not nominated to any of those
programs, the owner would pay a one-time, $250,000 late nomination fee.
The late-nominated horses would be eligible for full purse and award monies
offered in the 135 added-money events that comprise the Breeders’ Cup stakes
program every year in the United States and Canada. For late nominees to run in the World
Championship races on Breeders’ Cup Day, owners would still pay the usual
pre-entry and entry fees.
“The action taken by the board will benefit participating horsemen and
racetracks and will lead to a more inclusive program and improved racing product
that will resonate with fans,” said D. G. Van Clief Jr., Breeders’ Cup president and
National Thoroughbred Racing Association commissioner.
If owners do not take advantage of the new nomination rules, they will still
have the option to supplement their horses to the Breeders’ Cup Day races.
The nomination process for foals remains in place. All foals sired by
Breeders’ Cup, EBF or Common Fund nominated stallions may still be nominated in
their year of birth. The fee is $500 if submitted by October 15, increasing to
$1,500 by December 15.