Since its inaugural running at Hollywood Park in 1984, Breeders’ Cup has become recognized as the ultimate test of Thoroughbred talent and ability, drawing participation from horsemen around the globe and showcasing the best racehorses in the world in a day of international competition.
California has hosted the Breeders’ Cup eight times since its inception. In addition to the inaugural event in 1984, Hollywood Park hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 1987 and 1997. Oak Tree at Santa Anita is preparing to host its fifth Breeders’ Cup – having been the official site in 1986, 1993, 2003 and 2008.
The two-day event will feature 14 total races worth $25.5 million. The purses are supported through annual nomination payments for stallions and one-time nomination payments for those stallions' offspring.
With individual races worth between $500,000 and $5 million, the Breeders' Cup draws the most outstanding equine talent in the world. International greats who have come to America and prevailed include Lashkari, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre for the Aga Khan, winner of the first Breeders’ Cup Turf; the great mare Miesque, the first multiple Breeders’ Cup race winner; Arcangues, who won the 1993 Classic for French trainer Andre Fabre and returned $269.20 – the highest payoff in Breeders’ Cup history; and last year’s Classic winner, Raven’s Pass, trained by Aidan O’Brien.
Among the many American champions who demonstrated their greatness at Breeders’ Cup are Azeri, A.P. Indy, Alysheba, Cigar, Personal Ensign, Ferdinand, and Sunday Silence.
Last year, California connections alone won nearly half of the Breeders’ Cup races, with solid victories in six of the 14 events: Zenyatta in the Ladies’ Classic, Stardom Bound in the Juvenile Fillies, Midshipman in the Juvenile, Midnight Lute as the first repeat winner of the Sprint, Desert Code in the Turf Sprint, and Albertus Maximus in the Dirt Mile.
Excitement is building every day at Santa Anita for the 2009 edition of America's ultimate day of Thoroughbred racing!
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1 comment:
Here's to hoping Zenyatta will run in the Classic.
A repeat victory in the Ladies' Classic would be excellent too, but even a try at the Classic would silence at least some of the non-believers ;)
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