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First Track to Host Event in Consecutive Years

For the first time in its history, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at the same site for two consecutive years, as officials of Breeders’ Cup Limited announced today that Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., host of this year’s event, has also been selected to host the 2009 Breeders’ Cup.

The 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the sport’s most prestigious event, annually attracts the best horses from North America and Europe. It is the richest prize-money event in sports, consisting of 14 races and purses totaling $25.5 million. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup will be held on Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7. The decision followed a lengthy review process by the Breeders’ Cup Host Site Selection Committee, which included discussions with multiple racing venues in different regions. The committee’s recommendation was unanimously approved by the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors.

And, while this is the first time the event will be held at the same site two years running, the Breeders’ Cup has been in the same market in consecutive years. Three of the first four Breeders’ Cup events were held in southern California, beginning in 1984 at Hollywood Park, at Santa Anita in 1986 and again at Hollywood Park in 1987.

Breeders’ Cup and Oak Tree Racing Association officials are working to conclude the formal host site agreement, which is expected to include economic incentives from the state of California. The Breeders’ Cup historically generates in excess of $50 million in annual economic impact for host states.

Next year’s running will mark the fifth time that the Oak Tree Racing Association will host the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, after hosting the event in 1986, 1993 and 2003. This year’s event – the 25th running – will be held on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, and will be broadcast on ESPN and to a worldwide television audience.

"We are excited about the prospect for consecutive years in America's second largest media market. Santa Anita is a fantastic venue and the Oak Tree Racing Association has been a great partner during our 25-year history," said Bill Farish, chairman of Breeders’ Cup Ltd.

Breeders' Cup officials confirmed that today’s announcement does not indicate a permanent change to a consecutive year format and that future host sites would be evaluated on a case by case basis.

“We will pursue discussions for the 2010 Breeders’ Cup and years beyond with Churchill Downs, Del Mar and the New York Racing Association, among others,” said Greg Avioli, president and chief executive officer of Breeders’ Cup Ltd.

Over the past three years, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships 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.

“We are pleased that Breeders’ Cup has placed this confidence in Oak Tree and our Santa Anita management team to host the Breeders’ Cup in consecutive years,” said Sherwood Chillingworth, executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association. “We’re delighted to be selected again. 2008 will be the third time that I have been involved in the hosting of a Breeders’ Cup and I never tire of it.”

Oak Tree Racing Association was formed in 1969 as a not-for-profit organization with all of its net profits going to charitable entities, predominantly those equine-related. Since its inception, Oak Tree has contributed more than $25 million for these purposes.

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