LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 25, 2016) â?? The Breedersâ?? Cup, one of Thoroughbred horseracingâ??s most prestigious international events, has today announced that it will return to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky in 2018. As part of the companyâ??s ongoing strategy to maintain a three- year out host site plan, Breedersâ?? Cup will work closely with Churchill Downs and the local Louisville community to drive excitement and anticipation for the event over the next few years.
One of the worldâ??s most iconic and recognized tracks, Churchill Downs last hosted the Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships in 2011. The return to Louisville reflects the Breedersâ?? Cup commitment to bring the event to the countryâ??s best racetracks and to combine the sportâ??s best racing with best-in-class dining, hospitality and entertainment.
â??We are thrilled to announce our return to Louisville,â? said Breedersâ?? Cup President and CEO, Craig Fravel. â??Churchill Downsâ?? ongoing, significant investment in their facility to enhance the experience for participants and fans aligns perfectly with our desire to conduct one of the best racing events in the world, and weâ??re looking forward to another landmark event in 2018.â?
The 35th Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships will be held on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3, 2018 and televised live by NBC Sports Group. Since 2011, Churchill Downs has invested more than $67 million in the facility to further elevate the experience for all fans and participants, while also introducing new, in-demand luxury
seating and entertainment options. The improvements include Clubhouse enhancements, Winnerâ??s Circle Suites, Grandstand Terrace & Rooftop Garden, The Mansion and the installation of the worldâ??s largest 4,000 Ultra High Definition Big Board.
â??We are excited that the Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships will be returning in 2018 to Churchill Downs Racetrack, the city of Louisville and Kentucky,â? said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer, Churchill Downs Incorporated. â??Fan support for the Breedersâ?? Cup at Churchill Downs has been spectacular in the eight previous visits and our track has been the scene of many of the most important performances in the eventâ??s history. Iâ??m confident the return of the Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships to Churchill Downs will be an unforgettable event.â?
The 2018 Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships will be the ninth time that the event will be hosted at Churchill Downs which, at that time, will be tied with Santa Anita Park in California for the most ever held at one venue. In years past, largely in part to the incredible support of the Louisville community and Kentucky residents, Churchill Downs has hosted the largest Breedersâ?? Cupâ??s crowds, including a record-breaking two-day attendance figure of 114,353 in 2010, which also set a two-day on-track handle record of $22,515,318 and a total two-day handle record of $173,857,697. In 2018 these numbers have the potential to reach all-time highs as interest in the Breedersâ?? Cup continues to grow.
About Breedersâ?? Cup
The Breedersâ?? Cup administers the Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racingâ??s year-end Championships. The Breedersâ?? Cup also administers the Breedersâ?? Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2016 Breedersâ?? Cup World Championships, consisting of 13 (grade I) races and purses totalling $26 million, will be held Nov. 4-5 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breedersâ?? Cup press releases appear on the Breedersâ?? Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breedersâ?? Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About Churchill Downs Racetrack
Churchill Downs, the worldâ??s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing
and presented Americaâ??s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located
in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) offers
year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 142nd
running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on May 7, 2016. The trackâ??s 2016
Spring Meet is scheduled for April 30-July 2. The track has hosted the Breedersâ?? Cup World
Championships eight times. For more information visit www.ChurchillDowns.com
