(Edited Breeders' Cup release)

The Breeders’ Cup and Montblanc announced they have entered into a partnership, designating Montblanc as the exclusive promotional partner in the timing category for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup. The 26th Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. on Nov. 6-7.  The event will be televised live on ABC and ESPN.
 
As part of the new relationship, Montblanc will:
 
--Present a Star Nicolas Rieussec timepiece to the winning owner of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic and Breeders’ Cup Classic in the Winner’s Circle
--Provide VIP gifts for all participants (International VIPs, owners, breeders, jockeys, etc.)
--Have product displays in premium areas at Santa Anita Park

According to a release, Montblanc is owner of the patented rights to the Star Nicolas Rieussec timing movement. Almost two hundred years ago King Louis XVIII commissioned Nicolas Rieussec to develop a timing system that could record the exact times run by individual horses. The watchmaker Rieussec succeeded—to an accuracy of a quarter of a second—at a horse racing event held in Paris in 1821, according to the release. Montblanc has crafted this method of timing, based on the principle of turning discs and fixed indices, into the Star Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph, the release said.

“We are extremely honored to join the prestigious Breeders’ Cup as they present some of the world’s finest Thoroughbreds,” said Jan-Patrick Schmitz, president & CEO of Montblanc North America.  “With our connection to horseracing through the genius of Nicolas Rieussec, inventor of the chronograph, this is a great milestone in Montblanc’s history that we’re proud to share.”

“Montblanc is a premium global brand that will enhance the experience at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for the owners and the other members of the extended Breeders’ Cup family,” said Peter Land, chief marketing officer of the Breeders’ Cup.