In response to the popularity among horsemen from last year, the Breeders’ Cup will again offer a $100 discount off the standard $500 nomination fee for all foals nominated electronically by the end of the business day Aug. 1 to the Breeders’ Cup program.
Early 2010 foal nomination is available on the Breeders’ Cup website at www.breederscup.com. Early foal nomination may also be transacted by calling (800) RACE CUP (800-722-3287).
In 2009, Thoroughbred breeders worldwide saved more than $1 million and nominated a record 10,241 foals to the Breeders' Cup program before Aug. 1 as part of the inaugural incentive program.
The 20% discount incentive resulted in an almost 200% increase in foals nominated to the program by the early deadline. The previous high was 3,500 in 2008.
“We welcome nominators at all levels to again take advantage of the discount opportunities for foal nominations and reward those who commit their foals to the program earlier in the year,” said Greg Avioli, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup, in a statement. “As part of this program we want to encourage electronic nominations, which are far more efficient and economical for both the nominators and the organization.”\
All foals sired by a fully-nominated Breeders' Cup stallion, European Breeders' Fund stallion, or BCL/EBF Common Fund stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth. The standard $500 foal nomination, for those choosing not to nominate on-line, will remain in effect, with a deadline of midnight Oct. 15.
Late foal nominations may be made until midnight Dec. 15 of the year of birth by payment of a one-time $1,500 nomination fee. A Breeders' Cup-nominated foal is eligible to participate and earn full purses in the Breeders' Cup World Championships races and in any Breeders’ Cup funded race program for its entire racing career without any further nomination payments due.