All five female Breeders’ Cup events will be carded on the first day
It marks the first time a major Thoroughbred event in
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The Ladies Classic will be the premier race on the Breeders’ Cup Friday
program. Since 1984 it has proven to be a definitive female championship race as
18 of its winners were named divisional champions. Two Distaff winners, Lady’s
Secret (1986) and Azeri (2002), were also voted Horse of the Year. In perhaps
the most dramatic race in Breeders’ Cup history, the four-year-old filly
Personal Ensign won the Distaff in 1988 to finish her career undefeated.
In addition to the championship events at the track, the Breeders’ Cup plans
to develop a series of Championship festivities designed to promote the new
Friday format, including:
– Cause-related programs focused on women’s health
– On-site initiatives for fans and other guests of the event
– Consumer promotions in the Los Angeles marketplace and on a national basis
– Simulcast events in multiple markets throughout North America
– Special merchandise designed for Championship Friday
– First of its kind sponsor activation elements, broadcast and other media
programs designed to support both the racing and charitable components
In 2007, the Breeders’ Cup crowned four female champions — Indian Blessing
(Indian Charlie) in the Juvenile Fillies, Maryfield (Elusive Quality) in the
Filly & Mare Sprint, Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]) in the Filly & Mare Turf,
and Ginger Punch (Awesome Again) in the Distaff.
“The initial response from the Breeders’ Cup family including ESPN, our
marketing partners, nominators and trustees has been extremely supportive and
enthusiastic,” Breeders Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli said. “By shifting
some of our traditional Saturday races to Friday, we ensure that Friday stands
on its own as an international competition of the highest level. This new format
provides a great stage to showcase the talents of the best female Thoroughbreds
in the world.”
Breeders’ Cup officials are in discussions with several prominent non-profit
women’s organizations and plan to select its partners in March.
“Combining the best of filly racing with devoting a day to women’s health is
a great development which ESPN is proud to join,” said Len DeLuca, ESPN senior
vice president, programming and acquisition. “The Breeders’ Cup keeps raising
the bar in the presentation of world championship horse racing.”
The 2008 Breeders’ Cup, with $25.5 million in total purses, is the 25th
running of the event and will be televised live on ESPN networks, and in more
than 120 countries. Over the past three years, the Breeders’ Cup has experienced
unprecedented growth, with total races expanding from eight to 14, and total
purses increasing from $14 million to $25.5 million.
The 2007 Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park marked the first time that the event
was conducted as a two-day format. It consisted of 11 races and $23 million in
purses. In December, the event was again expanded, as three more races were
added to the program — the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, $1 million
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon.
The Juvenile Fillies, Filly and Mare Turf and Distaff were all held on
Breeders’ Cup Saturday last year. The Juvenile Turf and the Dirt Mile, run on
Breeders’ Cup Friday last year, have been shifted to the Saturday program.
2008 Breeders’ Cup Schedule of Races
| Friday, October 24 |
| $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies |
| $1 million Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies Turf |
| $1 million Breeders’ Cup
Filly and Mare Sprint |
| $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Filly and Mare Turf |
| $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Ladies’ Classic |
| Saturday, October 25 |
| $1 million Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Turf |
| $1 million Breeders’ Cup
Dirt Mile |
| $1 million Breeders’ Cup
Turf Sprint |
| $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile (G1) |
| $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Sprint (G1) |
| $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Mile (G1) |
| $3 million Breeders’ Cup
Turf (G1) |
| $5 million Breeders’ Cup
Classic (G1) |
| $500,000 Breeders’ Cup
Marathon |