Santa Anita to Host 2013 Breeders' Cup

From a Santa Anita Park press release.

The Breeders’ Cup announced today that the 30th Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at on Nov. 1-2, 2013.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious global event, annually attracts the best horses from around the world. The Breeders’ Cup consists of 15 races with purses totaling more than $25 million over the two-day event.

Santa Anita, on November 2-3, has hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships five other times: 1986, 1993, 2003, 2008 and 2009. The 2008 and 2009 Championships at Santa Anita set new records for attendance and wagering.

The 2013 Breeders’ Cup will be televised on the NBC Sports Network, and the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic will be shown live and in primetime on NBC from 8-9 p.m. ET.

The NBC Sports Network is also televising this year’s Breeders’ Cup with primetime coverage of the Classic on NBC, Nov. 3.    

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Santa Anita, to celebrate the 30th edition of our Championships in Southern California and for the unprecedented opportunity to showcase the Breeders’ Cup Classic in primetime for a second consecutive year," Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel said. "We are equally looking forward to bringing racing fans a world-class event at one of the world’s greatest racing venues. Southern California and the greater Los Angeles community are always exceptional hosts for fans and horsemen alike from the event’s launch in 1984 and, most recently, at the 2008 and 2009 World Championships.”

Mike Rogers, President of The Stronach Group’s Racing Division, also chimed in. 

“We are pleased the Breeders’ Cup has chosen to stay at Santa Anita for the 2013 World Championships," he said. "This underlines the commitment of The Stronach Group to present world-class racing at its venues around the country.”

The 2013 running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships marks the 10th time the event will be held in Southern California over its 30-year history. According to a study by Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the Breeders’ Cup generated in excess of $60 million in economic impact in the Los Angeles area in both 2008 and 2009.

 “The Thoroughbred Owners of California is happy to support the return of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships to California and Santa Anita Park,” TOC Chairman Mike Pegram said. “In addition to providing a much-needed boost to the state and local economies, the event gives California horsemen an opportunity to compete against the world’s best at one of our sport’s most outstanding racetracks.”

Among the most memorable moments in Breeders’ Cup history, provided fans with one of racing’s most exhilarating performances in 2009, when she beat out the boys to become the first female horse to win the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Breeders’ Cup officials indicated that no decisions have been made on host sites beyond 2013 and that the organization remains open to visiting markets that can accommodate its two-day event during its traditional fall timing, provide world-class hospitality for participants and guests and showcase the world’s best Thoroughbred racing.