History
The event was created as a year-end championship for North American Thoroughbred racing, and also attracts top horses from other parts of the world, especially Europe. The Breeders' Cup was founded in 1982 by pet food heir John R. Gaines (1928–2005), a leading Thoroughbred owner and breeder who wanted to clean up the sport's image. Before the Breeders' Cup expanded to two days, it was generally considered to be the richest day in sports. As of 2008, the second day of the Breeders' Cup is the second-richest. In 2008, a total of $17 million was awarded on that day, down from $20 million in 2007 (two races were moved from Day 2 to Day 1). The richest single day in sports is now another Thoroughbred racing event, Dubai World Cup Night. It features six races with a combined purse of $21 million in 2008.
Breeders Cup Wins – Jockey:
- Mike E. Smith – 17
- Jerry D. Bailey – 15
Breeders Cup Wins – Trainer:
- D. Wayne Lukas – 19
- Claude R. McGaughey III – 9
Breeders Cup Earnings – Owner:
- Allen E. Paulson – $8,730,000
Breeders Cup Earnings – Horse:
- Zenyatta – $4,680,000
- Tiznow – $4,560,400
- Goldikova (IRE) – $3,508,200
- Conduit (IRE) – $3,240,000
- Curlin – $2,955,000
The following horses have won the same Breeders' Cup race at least twice:
- Classic: Tiznow (2000, 2001)
- Filly & Mare Turf: Ouija Board (2004, 2006)
- Ladies' Classic: Bayakoa (1989, 1990), Royal Delta (2011, 2012)
- Mile: Miesque (1987, 1988), Lure (1992, 1993), Da Hoss (1996, 1998), Goldikova (2008, 2009, 2010)
- Sprint: Midnight Lute (2007, 2008)
- Turf: High Chaparral (2002, 2003), Conduit (2008, 2009)
The only horse to win two different Breeders' Cup races is Zenyatta, winner of the Ladies' Classic in 2008 and Classic in 2009.
The only horse to win three Breeders' Cup races is Goldikova, who won the Breeders' Cup Mile three years in a row (2008, 2009, 2010).
The 1988 Breeders' Cup marked the first time a female jockey competed as American Julie Krone rode in three races that day; the Juvenile Fillies, the Juvenile and the Classic finishing 2nd, 6th and 4th respectively. Krone also became the first woman to ride all the way into the winner's circle when she guided Halfbridled to a historic victory in the 2003 edition of the Juvenile Fillies.
Churchill Downs has hosted the race card eight times, more than any other track. It hosted the card most recently in 2010 and 2011.
On August 11, 2009 the Breeders' Cup announced that it will use the standard colored saddle towel system starting with the 2009 event. The new color-coded system (which has been used at many North American racetracks since the mid-1990s) replaces the standard purple saddle towels which had been used since 1985. The first Breeders' Cup in 1984 used yellow saddle towels.
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