World Racing Championships Downscales Program

The World Racing Championships, a series of races held at different countries, will be held again in 2004, but the International Racing Bureau will no longer be involved.

"After five years of providing administrative and marketing services to the series, the International Racing Bureau will be departing to concentrate on servicing its traditional roster of clients. We are grateful to the IRB for playing an instrumental role in establishing the series," James E. "Ted" Bassett III, chairman of the World Racing Championships, said in a prepared statement.

"With the start of this year's racing season, the members will take over much of the administrative work that goes into operating the WRC. We anticipate a smooth transition to 'in-house' administration and communications for the series.

"In 2004, the WRC will operate with a reduced marketing and sponsorship solicitation program. In the meantime, a strategic planning committee appointed by the WRC Board of Directors at its January meeting will evaluate proposals to develop the series in 2005 and beyond. The committee's recommendations will be presented during a July 2004 meeting at Ascot Racecourse."

This year's races in the series, all grade or group I, are the April 24 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup, May 16 Singapore Airlines International Cup, July 24, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Aug. 14 Arlington Million, Sept. 5 Grosser Bugatti Preis, Sept. 11 Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes, Oct. 3 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere, Oct. 17
Pattison Canadian International, Oct. 23 Carlton Draught Cox Plate, Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge and
John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf, Nov. 2 Japan Cup, and Dec. 12
Hong Kong Cup.