The richest Breeders’ Cup ever? Keeneland will have that honor after purse boost.
Keeneland Race Course in Lexington will be host to the richest Breeders’ Cup World Championships in history.
That fact was assured Tuesday when the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors approved three significant purse increases for 2020.
Total purses were increased by $4 million, bringing total prize money for the two-day World Championships to a record $35 million.
The 14-race program will be conducted Nov. 6 and 7 at Keeneland, the first time since 2015 and the second time ever the Lexington track has served as host for the championships, which have been run 36 times dating to 1984.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic, the weekend’s signature race, will now be worth $7 million, a $1 million increase from a year ago.
The Breeders’ Cup Turf purse is now $6 million, a boost of $2 million.
The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile now stands at $2 million, doubling its purse from 2019.
In another change, purse payouts will now be distributed to the top 10 finishers in each race as opposed to the previous eight places.
“These purse increases reflect the Breeders’ Cup’s mission to conduct the World Championships at the highest levels of quality and to keep our races competitive on the international stage,” Drew Fleming, the Breeders’ Cup president and CEO, said in a news release. “Our decision to increase purse payouts to 10th place in all our races is a tribute to the loyal participation of our owners and trainers who support the World Championships each year.”
The Classic remains the richest race in North America and the third-richest Grade/Group 1 event in the world behind only the newly created $20 million Saudi Cup and the $12 million Dubai World Cup.
A vote for safety
The Breeders’ Cup board also voted Tuesday to adopt all six safety recommendations included in Dr. Larry Bramlage’s veterinary report issued after the fatal breakdown of Mongolian Groom in last year’s Classic.
Bramlage’s recommendations increase the level of oversight and observation of horses in the leadup to the races.
Ticket reminder
Tickets for the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland go on sale to the public on Monday, March 9 at 9 a.m. EST. Fans are encouraged fans to visit BreedersCup.com/2020 in advance to review available seating options and pricing.
Attendance will be capped at 45,000 patrons each day “to assure an enhanced on-track experience for all attendees.”
Single-day ticket prices will range from $40 to $440 on Friday, and $60 to $590 on Saturday. Two-day packages available for purchase range from $325 to $1,780.
All tickets will be sold in advance. No tickets will be sold on event days at the racetrack.