Breeders' Cup Opens Nomination Program to Horses of Racing Age

Horses can now be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program at any time during their racing career, following new rules approved by the Breeders' Cup board of directors.

Under the revised nomination program, after Dec. 15 of the foal's first year, owners of a non-nominated horse, sired by a Breeders' Cup, European Breeders' Fund (EBF), or Common Fund stallion nominated in the year of conception may now pay a one-time, $150,000 late nomination fee to place that horse into the Breeders' Cup program for its entire racing career. Owners of a Thoroughbred sired by a non-nominated Breeders' Cup, EBF, or Common Fund stallion may also secure nomination into the Breeders' Cup program with a one-time, $250,000 late nomination payment.

In both cases, owners of these horses would pay standard pre-entry and entry fees to run in Breeders' Cup World Championships races, and would be eligible for full purse and award monies in the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program, a national series of 135 added-money races held annually in the United States and Canada.

The Breeders' Cup foal nomination program will remain intact. All foals sired by Breeders' Cup, EBF, or Common Fund nominated stallions may still be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program during their first year of birth for fees of $500 by Oct.15 or $1,500 by Dec. 15.

These rules changes become effective immediately for the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program and for this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Churchill Downs Nov.4.

"The action taken by the Board will benefit participating horsemen and racetracks and will lead to a more inclusive program and improved racing product that will resonate with fans," said D.G. Van Clief, Jr., Breeders' Cup president and NTRA Commissioner. "In particular, I would like to thank Bob Manfuso, chairman of the Breeders' Cup racing and nominations committee, and Pam Blatz-Murff, senior vice president of Breeders' Cup Operations, for their efforts in devising these important changes."

Owners who choose not to nominate their horses to the Breeders' Cup Program may continue to supplement those horses to the Breeders' Cup World Championships races, with a portion of that supplement added to the race purse.