Today's News

Sunday, May 11th

SCHWARZENEGGER LAUDS OAK TREE SELECTION AS HOST OF SUCCESSIVE BREEDERS' CUPS

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2008)—In a statement issued one week ago, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulated the California Thoroughbred racing industry and the Oak Tree Racing Association on being selected to host successive Breeders’ Cups, in 2008 and 2009, making Oak Tree the first racing venue so honored in the 25-year history of Breeders’ Cup Limited.
“California horse racing makes history again with an unprecedented second Breeders Cup Championship and I am looking forward to welcoming the world to California this fall for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Championships and next November for the 2009 event,” said Schwarzenegger. “These events give us a chance to showcase the beautiful and historic Santa Anita Park and will be an economic boon of over $100 million.
“California horse racing is at a crossroads and hosting the Breeders’ Cup gives us a chance to support an important agricultural and entertainment industry,” he added.
The 2008 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be run at Oak Tree on Oct. 24 and 25, with 14 races and $25.5 million in purses to be offered.
Breeders’ Cup XXV will also mark the fourth time racing’s most prestigious showcase will be held at Oak Tree, following successful runs in 1986, ’93 and 2003. In 1986, the on-track pari-mutuel handle was an astounding $15.3 million—a record that stood until 2003, when the Breeders’ Cup returned to Oak Tree and the on-track handle exceeded $17.6 million.
The Oak Tree Racing Association, a not-for-profit organization run by horsemen, conducted its inaugural meet at Santa Anita in 1969, and will celebrate its 40th racing season this year.

Breeders' Cup selects Oak Tree at Santa Anita as 2009 Cup site; Oak Tree is first venue chosen to host consecutive Breeders' Cups

First Track to Host Event in Consecutive Years

For the first time in its history, the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at the same site for two consecutive years, as officials of Breeders' Cup Limited announced today that Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., host of this year's event, has also been selected to host the 2009 Breeders' Cup.



The 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the sport’s most prestigious event, annually attracts the best horses from North America and Europe. It is the richest prize-money event in sports, consisting of 14 races and purses totaling $25.5 million. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup will be held on Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7. The decision followed a lengthy review process by the Breeders’ Cup Host Site Selection Committee, which included discussions with multiple racing venues in different regions. The committee’s recommendation was unanimously approved by the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors.



And, while this is the first time the event will be held at the same site two years running, the Breeders’ Cup has been in the same market in consecutive years. Three of the first four Breeders’ Cup events were held in southern California, beginning in 1984 at Hollywood Park, at Santa Anita in 1986 and again at Hollywood Park in 1987.

Breeders’ Cup and Oak Tree Racing Association officials are working to conclude the formal host site agreement, which is expected to include economic incentives from the state of California. The Breeders’ Cup historically generates in excess of $50 million in annual economic impact for host states.



Next year’s running will mark the fifth time that the Oak Tree Racing Association will host the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita, after hosting the event in 1986, 1993 and 2003. This year’s event – the 25th running – will be held on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25, and will be broadcast on ESPN and to a worldwide audience.

"We are excited about the prospect for consecutive years in America's second largest media market. Santa Anita is a fantastic venue and the Oak Tree Racing Association has been a great partner during our 25-year history," said Bill Farish, chairman of Breeders’ Cup Ltd.



“We are enthusiastic about conducting the Breeders’ Cup at the same venue for two straight years, and will continue to evaluate the consecutive year host site strategy,” said Greg Avioli, president and chief executive officer of Breeders’ Cup Ltd. "At the same time, we will pursue discussions for the 2010 Breeders’ Cup and years beyond with Churchill Downs, Del Mar, the New York Racing Association and Sam Houston Race Park.”



Over the past three years, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships has experienced unprecedented growth, with total races expanding from eight to 14, and total purses increasing from $14 million to $25.5 million. The 2007 Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park marked the first time that the event was conducted as a two-day format. It consisted of 11 races and $23 million in purses. In December, the event was again expanded, as three more races were added to the program: the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and the $500,000 Breeders’ Cup Marathon.



“Oak Tree is delighted to be selected as the site of the Breeders’ Cup in 2009, the first time that

Breeders’ Cup has been held in consecutive years at the same location,” said Sherwood Chillingworth, executive vice president of the Oak Tree Racing Association. “We are pleased that Breeders’ Cup has placed this confidence in us and our Santa Anita management team. 2008 will be the third time that I have been involved in the hosting of a Breeders’ Cup and I never tire of it.”



Oak Tree Racing Association was formed in 1969 as a not-for-profit organization with all of its net profits going to charitable entities, predominantly those equine-related. Since its inception, Oak Tree has contributed more than $25 million for these purposes.

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships; Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses. The organization also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. Breeders’ Cup Ltd. is located in Lexington, Ky., and in New York City. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com.

OAK TREE TO HOST BREEDERS' CUP FOR UNPRECEDENTED SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN 2009

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 8, 2008)—Oak Tree at Santa Anita has been selected to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships for an unprecedented second consecutive year in 2009, it was announced yesterday. This year’s Breeders’ Cup event, the 25th running, will be held on Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7.
“This is great news for Oak Tree and for all of us here at Santa Anita,” said Oak Tree Executive Vice President and Director Sherwood Chillingworth. “The fact that the Breeders’ Cup Host Site Selection Committee has shown this level of confidence in our ability to stage an event of this magnitude in consecutive years is very gratifying.
“The fact that we have been chosen to host it in consecutive years also puts us in a position, we believe, to keep the momentum going from this year’s event into next year. It’s cost-effective this way. For instance, our fans love the temporary seating we install for each Breeders’ Cup. By running again in 2009, we will not have to dismantle this seating and therefore it saves us a considerable amount of money.”
Chillingworth also noted that in addition to world-class racing, the two-day Breeders’ Cup also infuses the community with significant economic benefits. “When we last hosted the one-day Breeders’ Cup in 2003, we estimated the event brought $38 million dollars in revenues to the area. I think it’s safe to say that with a two-day event, that number will exceed $50 million per year. That’s $100 million over two years and this is just tremendous news not only for those of us in racing, but for the community at large,” said Chillingworth.
Oak Tree at Santa Anita hosted its first Breeders’ Cup in 1986, with 69,155 people attending on-track. Oak Tree again hosted in 1993 and 2003. The 2009 Breeders’ Cup will mark the fifth time the event has been staged in Arcadia. “We are a very appealing host site for a number of reasons,” said Chillingworth. “One is the weather. The odds are that we will have optimum conditions from that standpoint. Another factor is that Santa Anita is simply the most beautiful venue in America. On a clear day, the backdrop here is breathtaking. This has to be a consideration for the folks at ESPN, which will once again televise the event. Additionally, we have proven time and again that we attract large on-track crowds. People like coming to Los Angeles and they are comfortable at Santa Anita.
“When you consider the experience our management team possesses, that has to be very important as well. This year will be my third Breeders’ Cup, and we have a number of key people who have been involved with all of them dating back to 1986. For all of these reasons, and more, there is a level of confidence in our ability to put on a world-class show that perhaps doesn’t exist elsewhere.”
Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. This year-end, two-day event consists of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. Breeders’ Cup Limited is based in Lexington, Ky., and in New York City. Press releases relative to the Breeders’ Cup appear on their web site, www.breederscup.com.

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BREEDERS' CUP UNVEILS LOGO FOR THE 25TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AT SANTA ANITA PARK

The Breeders’ Cup today unveiled the official event logo (attached) for the 25th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which this year will take place Oct. 24-25, 2008, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA. The event logo will appear in 2008 Breeders’ Cup marketing programs.

In December, the Breeders’ Cup announced it added three races to the 25th Championships for a record 14 races as part of the two-day format. 2008 marks the second year of both the two-day Championships format and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge, a series of qualifying races to advance to the Breeders’ Cup.

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