"This partnership is a win - win for both Breeders' Cup Ltd. and TVG," said TVG's CEO and president, Mark Wilson. "Together, we can work to continue the phenomenal growth of championship day through interactive wagering and expanded television promotion of the event, increase the mainstream interest in one of racing's premier days and ensure that racing interests prosper by returning a fair share of interactive wagering revenues to support live racing through what will certainly be significant source market fee distributions."
Under a long-term agreement announced Tuesday, TVG will have the exclusive right to conduct interactive wagering on all Breeders' Cup championship day races. The license between TVG and Breeders' Cup Ltd. applies to pari-mutuel wagering through interactive television, online and interactive voice response telephone wagering systems, according to the announcement. "The Breeders' Cup Championship has experienced strong growth over the past several years, but the growth potential from interactive wagering remains relatively untapped," said D.G. Van Clief, Jr., president of Breeders' Cup Ltd. "TVG is our choice to develop interactive wagering because they possess strong marketing resources, professional programming and promotion, several operational proprietary interactive wagering platforms, the desire to draw new fans to the Breeders' Cup and, importantly, the commitment to support the racing industry through source market fees -- a fair revenue sharing plan for proceeds from interactive Breeders' Cup wagering."The announcement said Breeders' Cup Ltd. and TVG will collaborate on promotion and marketing activities on their respective Internet Websites (breederscup.com and tvgnetwork.com), on TVG network programming, and through the assets of Gemstar - TV Guide International, TVG's parent company. As the championship day races approach, TVG will provide special programming surrounding the event, including workouts, interviews with owners, trainers, and jockeys, as well as pre-race analysis and handicapping. TVG will also provide coverage of many Breeders' Cup events such as the pre-entry luncheon, post position draw, press party, fan fest, charity gala, and Sunday press breakfast.
