ITM Signs Multi-Year Agreement as an Official Partner of The Breeders' Cup World Championships
24 September 2018
Issued on behalf of The Breeders' Cup.
The Breeders’ Cup and Irish Thoroughbred
Marketing, which promotes Ireland as a leading source for the production and
sale of quality Thoroughbreds worldwide, today announced a multi-year agreement
for Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to continue as an official partner of the
Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 races (13 Grade 1s)
with purses and awards totaling more than $30 million, and annually attracts
the top horses, trainers and jockeys from around the globe, will be held at
Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on Nov. 2-3.
As part of the extended agreement, which began in 2017, Irish Thoroughbred
Marketing will have branding rights to the Horsemen’s Enclosure at the
Breeders’ Cup. The Enclosure is a private lounge providing an enhanced
experience adjacent to the paddock at Churchill Downs where horsemen and
dignitaries from around the world to gather before the World Championships
races.
“We are delighted with the renewed commitment of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing
to partner with us and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships,” said Bryan
Pettigrew, Breeders’ Cup Chief Marketing Officer. “Both of our organizations
share the goals of promoting the sport of Thoroughbred racing to a wider
audience with bold initiatives and innovative programs to reach new and
existing fans.”
Horses based in Ireland have made a total of 297 starts in the Breeders’ Cup,
which has resulted in 28 Breeders’ Cup winners, the most of any nation outside
the United States.
“ITM’s partnership with the Breeders’ Cup World Championships began very
successfully in 2017 and we are very much looking forward to building on that
strong first impression at one of sport’s most iconic venues, Churchill Downs,”
said Charles O’Neill, CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. “Horses
bred, trained and owned in Ireland have a terrific record in the Breeders’ Cup,
by far the best outside the United States, and there will be many more carrying
Irish hopes in Kentucky during the first weekend of November.
“We will have a terrific pitch at The Enclosure on the Plaza Balcony close to
the Paddock over both days and this will present us with a unique opportunity
to acknowledge those who have supported Irish thoroughbreds for so long and to
also warmly welcome those who might have an interest in doing the same.”
About Breeders’
Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships,
Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also
administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides
automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2018 Breeders’
Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 races (13 Grade 1 events) with purses
and awards totaling more than $30 million, will be held November 2-3 at
Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and will be televised live by the NBC
Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website,
www.breederscup.com.
You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram
and YouTube.
About Irish
Thoroughbred Marketing
Established in 1991, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) is a not-for-profit,
non-trading, limited company, with the strength and integrity of Irish
Government support, and the backing of the Irish Bloodstock industry, assuring
absolute integrity and impartiality. Irish Thoroughbred Marketing promotes
Ireland as the leading source for the production and sale of quality thoroughbreds
internationally, and as a premier country in which to own, breed and buy
thoroughbreds.