Breeders’ Cup, on of Thoroughbred horse racing’s most prestigious international events, today announced Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California as the host site for the upcoming 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships. In 2019, Santa Anita Park will host Breeders’ Cup on Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd for a record breaking 10th time.
Breeders’ Cup also announced today that the events will return to Keenland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky on November 6th and 7th in 2020 and Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California on November 5th and 6th in 2021. The three-year announcement reflects Breeders’ Cup forward-thinking growth strategy to showcase the best tracks across the country and allow for ample lead time to engage with local communities ahead of each event. Fans are encouraged to visit www.breederscup.com/2019 to sign up for ticket information.
“We look forward to another outstanding Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park next year at one of our world’s greatest racing venues,” said Breeders’ Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel. “Our decision to return to Santa Anita again reflects the deep-rooted relationships we have developed with both the racetrack and the greater Los Angeles community. We look forward to collaborating again to create the world’s best horseracing experience for our longtime fans and new guests in 2019.”
Situated by the San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Anita Park is one of the most iconic spots and horse racing venues in the world. In previous years, the world-renowned racetrack has invested over $35 million towards improved premium seating areas, racing surfaces and enhances wagering product. Additionally, Santa Anita Park will be investing $5 million to add new premium seating prior to the Breeders’ Cup with renovations to the 4th and 5th floor restaurants as well as new outdoor suites installed above the grandstand seating. Box seats and dining tables will also be added just past the finish line. 
The 2016 Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita established a two-day attendance record of 118,484 spectators. Santa Anita is also the only track to have hosted the Breeders’ Cup for three consecutive years (2012 – 0214).
“We are thrilled to have the Breeders’ Cup back here at Santa Anita for a record 10th time in 2019,” said Tim Ritvo, COO for The Stronach Group. “In addition to our existing amenities, we have several other high-end attractions that will be operational in 2019 and they will complement what has already been a terrific Breeders’ Cup customer experience through the year. With the investments we’ve made in our facilities and racing surfaces over the past several years and the new vision embraced by Belinda Stronach through our marketing and digital initiatives, Santa Anita is positioned to welcome the racing world back next year and hopefully many more times in future.”
“Los Angeles is the world’s greatest sports town – where loyal fans and star athletes come to celebrate, and compete on the biggest stage,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “We’re already planning an historic decade of sporting events, with the Olympics and the Paralympics, the Super Bowl, the College Football Playoff National Championship and the World Cup coming to town. I couldn’t be prouder to once again add the Breeders’ Cup to that illustrious list.”
“Los Angeles is proud to host the 2019 Breeders’ Cup World Championships for a record 10th time at Santa Anita Park, one of the world’s great racing venues,” said President of Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission Kathryn Schloessman. “Its addition to the list of mega events confirmed for Los Angeles in the next ten years further solidifies the destination as the ultimate sports and entertainment capital of the world.”
About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championship races. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 races (13 Grade 1 events) with purses and awards totaling more than $30 million, will be held November 2nd and 3rd at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY, and will be televised live by NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website – www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Santa Anita Park
Santa Anita Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida, and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering services; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is North American’s premier supplier of virtual online horseracing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.
