The Breeders’ Cup

A Horse Racing Syndicate’s Dream, The Breeders’ Cup

Imagine a day in thoroughbred horse racing where all the best horses from around the world come together at the same race track and show off their talents for two consecutive days. This spectacular event of racing is The Breeders’ Cup. In short, the Breeders’ Cup is the end of the year challenge where all the best horses in the world come together to compete against one another in their respective classes and distances.

Every dream of a thoroughbred horse racing syndicate is to run in the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year. It’s like the all-star game for horses, where the best horses at each distance and surface compete against the best from around the world. The Breeders’ Cup was inaugurated in 1984 at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, CA. It was a dream conceived by several prominent owners in the industry to bring more attention and a positive light to horse racing on an international stage. Originally, the Breeders’ Cup was held on one single day but today it is comprised of 15 stakes races, the majority of which are Grade 1 races, and is held on two consecutive days.

The Breeders’ Cup is not available to just any horse, but only the best in world. Today, there are sponsored races that are predetermined before the racing season begins called Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races. There are a set amount of “Win and You’re In” races for each Breeders’ Cup race, and the winner of these races gains an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup, as well as entry fees paid for. This is the most direct and assured way of gaining entry into the Breeders’ Cup so most horse racing partnerships will point their horses to specific “Win and You’re In” races. The other way to gain entry into the Breeders’ Cup races, is based on a point system, where specific stakes races have a predetermined number of points for finishing 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd respectively. The rest of the field is determined by the highest point earners, and then if needed horses can be nominated and are evaluated by a panel.

Unlike the Triple Crown races that are held at the same venues each year, the Breeders’ Cup usually does not have the same venue for more than 2 years in a row. Fortunately, this year and the 2013 Breeders’ Cup will be held at the beautiful Santa Anita Park in Southern California. In the past, the Breeders’ Cup has been held all across the United States, with Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and Belmont Park being the most popular locations. Only one time in 1996, was the Breeders’ Cup held outside the U.S., at Woodbine in Canada. For the foreseeable future the Breeders’ Cup will be held within the United States.

Probably one of the most memorable Breeders’ Cup races took place in the 2009 G1 $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park. Zenyatta, one of the best female thoroughbreds to ever race became the first female thoroughbred to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is typically a race dominated by male entries. Not only did she become the first female horse to win the Classic but also the first horse to win two different Breeders’ Cup races, as she won the 2008 Lady’s Classic. This was truly a remarkable feet, that may never be duplicated. These accomplishments speak to the history and quality of racing that takes place year in and year out at the Breeders’ Cup.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, we were fortunate enough to campaign Turbulent Descent last year, where she went off as the post time favorite in the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Though she had a very troubled trip and had to go 5 wide, finishing 5^th, it was still the most exciting experience for our thoroughbred syndicate. All of our partners made the trip to Churchill Downs as passionate owners, friends, and fans. To be a part of the Breeders’ Cup is an experience in racing that usually only comes once in a life time, but we are confident that the Blinkers On horse racing partnership will be back very soon.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

Horse Racing Syndicates Evaluate A Horse’s Best Distance

Thoroughbred Syndicates Determine If A Horse Is A Sprinter Or Router

A common question that thoroughbred syndicates get from partners and potential partners is, do you think this horse will be a sprinter or a route horse? For race horse partnership managers, this is not always an easy question to answer, but there are certain things that thoroughbred syndicates rely on to help them determine whether the horse will be a more successful sprinter or distance horse.

The first thing that a horse racing partnership manager will look at to determine what distance a horse will succeed at is their pedigree. The pedigree of the thoroughbred will give a good indication as to whether the horse wants to sprint or route. For example, Blinkers On Racing Stable’s 2 year old colt, Cruel Spirits is by Henny Hughes. Looking at Cruel Spirits’ pedigree we know that Henny Hughes was a very good sprinter and over the years as a sire he has been successful at getting more successful sprinters than route horses on the race track. On the other hand, a horse like Just Your Shadow, another 2 year old colt that Blinkers On manages, is by Ghostzapper, who won graded stakes races from 6.5 furlongs to 1 ¼ miles in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Ghostzapper was probably at his best going a route of ground like his sire Awesome Again, so we would expect Just Your Shadow to most likely be more successful as a distance runner.

In addition, a horse’s Dosage Index is also an important aspect in determining whether a horse will be better as a distance or sprinting thoroughbred. Dosage Index is a mathematical calculation based on prolific thoroughbred sires that give each thoroughbred a number based on their pedigree that is supposed to represent what they will be most successful running at. For example, the thoroughbred has an average center of distribution of 2.40 so anything below that number would lean more toward being able to run a further distance, and anything above that number would typically mean that the horse will most likely be suited for sprinting. Inevitably, there are exceptions to this method but it is set up as a guide to help thoroughbred syndicate owners and breeders as they buy and race thoroughbreds. But looking at a horse’s pedigree isn’t the only factor in determining whether a thoroughbred is more suited for sprinting or routing.

The body type of a horse also plays an important role in helping to determine a horse’s best distance. For example, Just Your Shadow’s pedigree says he could probably sprint or route but looking at his body type and the way he moves over the track he looks more like a route horse. He is a bigger horse has a lot of leg and a longer body and back that creates a bigger more fluid stride where the recovery of the stride is not as quick. Therefore, allowing him to carry that fluid stride over a route of ground without tiring. Whereas, a horse like Cruel Spirits has a long stride as well but his recovery time between strides is much quicker, allowing for a higher cruising speed than Just Your Shadow, but not being able to carry that speed over a longer distance. In addition, Cruel Spirits is built more compact with a powerful hip and shorter back that are common traits of a successful sprinter.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, with the help of our bloodstock advisor and trainer, we take into consideration all of the available information that is helpful in making a determination whether to sprint or route a specific horse. But sometimes the most useful piece of information above pedigree, dosage index and conformation is watching the horse race and finding out how they succeed at different distances.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!