Breeders' Cup Suspends Stakes Program

bfinellc · Postby **bfinellc** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:14 pm

Breeders' Cup Suspends Stakes Program
By Lenny Shulman
Updated: Friday, December 12, 2008 3:04 PM
Posted: Friday, December 12, 2008 3:04 PM
Email Print RSS ShareThis Breeders’ Cup officials have decided to suspend the entire Breeders’ Cup stakes program for 2009, according to a memo sent to racing secretaries, stakes coordinators, and officials Dec. 11.

The memo, from Breeders’ Cup senior vice president of operations Pam Blatz-Murff, said that the organization was projecting a reduction in overall Breeders’ Cup revenues of more than $10 million next year due to the global economic downturn and a likely shortfall in nominations revenue. It goes on to state that in order to maintain the Breeders’ Cup Championship purses at their current levels, television and marketing spending will be slashed by more than $5 million. In the last two years, the Championships have expanded from one day to two, and from eight races to 14.

Previously, according to the memo, the Breeders’ Cup had committed to allocating funds for 2009 races, but now those allocations are suspended.

Blatz-Murff would not comment pending an expected release from Breeders' Cup.

I would like my nomination fees back!!!!

docjocoy · Postby **docjocoy** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:30 pm

I would like my nomination fees back!!!!

That was exactly my reaction. Also shocked and disappointed. I think those guys are salaried. Perhaps they should take a cut. I guess my fees are now subsidising the Cup program. Sigh...

bfinellc · Postby **bfinellc** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:09 pm

I nominated my foals because of the regional breeders' cup programs....not the Breeders' Cup World Championships! This is just another kick in the ba%#s to the small-time breeder.

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:44 pm

so there won't BE a Breeder's cup championship day in 09???

karenkarenn · Postby **karenkarenn** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:47 pm

I cant believe this! No Breeders Cup for 09? not even in California?
Karen

Georgerz · Postby **Georgerz** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:08 pm

Where did you get that there won't be the Breeder's Cup days? The article says that the Breeder's Cup sponsored stakes won't be run in 2009. Nothing to do with the Breeder's Cup races.

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:15 pm

I guess at a quick skim I found the distinction confusing. :oops:

Joltman · Postby **Joltman** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 8:56 am

So what happens to the idea of the 'Win and You're In' they so heavily promoted?

Article says they are going to whack advertising and marketing for BC Championships by millions as well. Methinks this whole program seems to be teetering. Was the addition of the second day (and additional races) a net financial loss to the program in addition to a dilution of the product - despite the self congratulatory remarks of proponents? And here I thought it might be worth breeding marathoners since there was finally a program to support them.

jm

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:23 am

The odds in nominating a horse capable of competing at the now defunct Breeders Cup regional races was very high. Nominating one capable of getting to the big dance must be astronomical.

I would only nominate if I had an exceptional individual or one by a mare with a proven stakes production record. Otherwise it's likely you are wasting money.

Dave C · Postby **Dave C** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 11:21 am

The BC nominations have always been like a lottery, now with all the consolation prizes eliminated, who's going to nominate? Certainly not people in regional markets. Even players in the middle of the Ky market have to wonder if they will get their money back at the sales if the regional buyers have no BC stakes to buy horses for.

ZZTOPPERS · Postby **ZZTOPPERS** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:27 pm

All of the regional money is now supporting the "expanded championship" race categories; I think the BC just shot itself in the foot. I don't think middle-market on down foals will be nominated now, at least not until the market improves dramatically. And if you do have that "lightning in a bottle" horse who wasn't nominated, the lowered supplemental is more attractive to get to the big dance. Overall, I think it was a really poor business decision--take care of the big horses on the big day, kick the rest to the curb.

pokeyman · Postby **pokeyman** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:11 pm

bfinellc wrote:I nominated my foals because of the regional breeders' cup programs....not the Breeders' Cup World Championships! This is just another kick in the ba%#s to the small-time breeder.

Me too..... :evil:

LB · Postby LB » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:20 am

Rob Whiteley's spot-on reply:

http://www.paulickreport.com/blog/major ... ignations/

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:12 pm

I smell a class action suit. Anyone here in for getting back the '05-08 fees paid, for foals and stallion nominations? We could probably try to sue the BC and then also the staff members individually since we paid their salaries, and they have robbed us. Rather like the omnipotent UAW, so loaded with hubris, it seems the BC folks have chosen to steadfastly maintain their own cushy environment while cutting the earnings of the very "workers", or horses in this case, that are responsible for paying for the whole damned structure. If there are less nominations, to that amount, they need half the office staff?? Where are the resignations and terminations??

st. louis kid · Postby **st. louis kid** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:46 pm

This mess is just getting started unfortunately. This is criminal behavior, you can't take money from people, pay out to others, and then say, oh sorry we are ending the payouts. It is a classic ponzi scheme, if I was an executive with the Breeders Cup I would be looking for a good lawyer today.