Lexington, Ky. – The Breeders’ Cup announced today a $100 discount off the standard $500 nomination fee for all foals nominated electronically or “on-line” by the close of business August 1 to the Breeders’ Cup program.

The early on-line discount was proposed by the Racing and Nominations Committee as a way to stimulate nominator participation during the challenging economic environment and to encourage greater use of the Web to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

Following a review by the Breeders’ Cup Members and Trustees, the recommendation of the nomination stimulus was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors.

“In these difficult economic times, we want to show our appreciation to our nominators, at all levels, for their loyal and continued support over the years by providing a one-time 20 percent discount for early on-line nomination,” said Greg Avioli president and CEO of Breeders Cup Ltd. “As part of this program we want to encourage electronic nominations, which are far more efficient and economical for both the nominators and the organization than forms sent via the mail.   We also want to reward nominators who commit their foals to the program earlier in the year.”

In 2008, approximately 3,500 of the total 14,602 foals were nominated to the Breeders’ Cup before August 1. Early nomination insures the Breeders’ Cup nomination is included on the catalog page for weanlings entered into November sales.

All foals sired by a fully nominated Breeders’ Cup stallion, European Breeders’ Fund stallion or BCL/EBF Common Fund stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders’ Cup program in their year of birth. The standard $500 foal nomination, for those choosing not to nominate on-line, will remain in effect, with a deadline of Midnight (ET), October 15.  Late foal nominations may be made by Midnight (ET), December 15 of the year of birth by payment of a one-time $1,500 nomination fee.

A Breeders’ Cup-nominated foal is eligible to participate and earn full purses in the $25.5 million Breeders’ Cup World Championships races and in the Breeders’ Cup Stakes program for its entire racing career without any further nomination payments due.

Breeders’ Cup Limited has been Thoroughbred racing’s most significant national and international program for more than twenty-five years. During this time, Breeders’ Cup has allocated purses and awards in excess of $500 million to owners, foal nominators and stallion nominators through the multi-million dollar Breeders’ Cup Stakes program and the $25.5 million Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The Breeders’ Cup foal nomination program began in 1983 with a standard $500 per foal fee. The standard fee has never been increased since its inception. The late nomination fee of $1,500 per foal by December 15 was introduced in 2004.

Early 2009 Foal nomination for 2009 is available on the Breeders’ Cup Web Site at www.breederscup.com/content.aspx?id=26439.

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