The Breeders’ Cup board of directors took the following actions Jan. 20 at its first meeting of the year:

1) Voted Don M. Robinson to the board of directors. Robinson, a 30-year-vetaran of the Thoroughbred industry, owns Winter Quarter Farm, which his family started in 1948 in Lexington, and where he has bred or raised grade I winners Zenyatta, Balance, and Overarching. Robinson is the current vice president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders. He just completed his term as president of the Fayette County Farm Bureau and has been the former chairman of the Lexington Fayette County Planning Commission. Robinson will serve the remainder of the term of B. Wayne Hughes, who resigned at the end of 2008.

“Don’s leadership in the Thoroughbred industry and in public service, and his knowledge of the interests of owners and breeders at all levels, will be a great asset to our Board,” said Breeders’ Cup board chairman William S. Farish Jr.
 
“I welcome and embrace the opportunity to serve on the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors,” said Robinson. “The Breeders’ Cup has grown tremendously through innovation in the last several years and I look forward to further enhancing its brand. As the owner of a third generation family farm, I also identify with the needs and interests of the small breeder as representatives and stakeholders of the overall Breeders’ Cup program.”
 
2) Approved the recommendation of the Racing and Nominations Committee for $5 million in Breeders’ Cup funds for allocation to the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. This year’s program will provide purse enhancements to approximately 100 existing stakes races at 40 tracks.  The 2009 Stakes Program schedule is expected to be released once the Breeders’ Cup finalizes agreements with racing departments at participating tracks to assign allocations. A total of $75,000 in Breeders’ Cup funds was allocated to last Saturday’s San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park to begin this year’s series.

3 ) Scheduled a full board of members and trustees meeting for Feb. 4 to gather input on the proposed 2009 operating budget and other financial issues related to the economic downturn and its potential impact on the organization and the racing and breeding industries.

About the Breeders’ Cup
 

The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end championships consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses. The organization also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. Breeders’ Cup has offices in Lexington, Ky., and in New York City. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com.

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