International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, (IEAH Stables), owners of 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Big Brown, will donate a percentage of winnings of all IEAH starters in next month’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships to Breeders’ Cup Charities.
In addition to Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Big Brown, IEAH Stables is scheduled to start as many as four other horses in the Oct. 24-25 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park, including defending Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner, the 5-year-old Kip Deville, and the multiple stakes winning 3-year-old filly, Pure Clan, a candidate for the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT).
The primary beneficiaries of Breeders’ Cup Charities are: Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Breeders’ Cup Charities also will support causes in southern California and Thoroughbred industry charities.
“We are grateful for the generosity of Michael Iavarone and his partners at IEAH Stables in pledging to join us in supporting multiple non-profit organizations at the 25th Breeders’ Cup,” said Greg Avioli, president and chief executive officer of the Breeders’ Cup. “IEAH had great success with Kip Deville at the 2007 Breeders’ Cup and we wish them the best of luck with their horses in 2008.”
The pledge by IEAH is the second commitment from the Thoroughbred industry to Breeders’ Cup Charities, which was established this year to further community outreach efforts in conjunction with the 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Last week, Pamela and Martin Wygod, on behalf of WebMD Health Foundation, made the first contribution to Breeders’ Cup Charities, donating $250,000.
“IEAH Stables is proud to be supporting such great charities at our world championships,” said Iavarone, Co-President and CEO of IEAH Stables. “Breeders’ Cup’s commitment to St. Jude’s and Susan G. Komen and others shows the importance of utilizing an event of this magnitude to bring support and awareness to causes which help those who are less fortunate than us.”
