LEXINGTON, Ky., Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The Breeders' Cup announced steps Monday to make it easier and more lucrative for foreign-based horses to participate in the U.S. program.
Effective January 2001, all foals sired by Breeders' Cup-nominated international stallions will be eligible automatically to participate in Breeders' Cup races, the organization announced at a news conference.
To qualify, owners of stallions based in the Northern Hemisphere outside North America will pay an annual fee equal to 50 percent of the stallion's published stud fee. Southern Hemisphere owners will pay 25 percent of the fee. The North American nomination program remains unchanged with fees generally ranging from 150 percent to 200 percent of the published stud fee.
In addition, the Breeders' Cup will offer to pay the entry fees and subsidize travel costs for the winners of international "Win and You're In" events, which already guarantee a starting spot in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled this year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Nov. 5-6.
Some other international racing series have covered transport and fees for many years.
The Breeders' Cup also will offer a one-time "open enrollment" in 2011 for previously ineligible horses.
From Feb. 1 through June 30, 2011, any horse sired by a stallion nominated to the Breeders' Cup in 2001 will become eligible by payment of $3,000 for a yearling, $6,000 for a 2-year-old and $25,000 for a horse 3 or older. That program will be in effect worldwide.
