Breeders' Cup Nomination Programs

Breeders' Cup Limited has been Thoroughbred racing's most significant national and international program for 41 years. During this time, we have allocated purses and awards in excess of $860 Million to owners, foal nominators and stallion nominators through the programs of the Breeders' Cup including the $31 million Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Official Breeders' Cup Nominated Logo

The official Breeders' Cup Nominated Logo may be used in conjunction with the advertisement or promotion of any fully nominated Breeders' Cup Stallion, Foal or Horse of Racing Age. Click here to download.

Foal Nominations

Early Foal nominations must be made before August 1 by payment of a one-time nomination fee of $400 (U.S.). Any foal being entered in a fall or winter breeding stock sale must be nominated by this deadline for inclusion of the Breeders' Cup Nominated engagement on the catalog page.

Standard Foal nominations may be made in the foal's year of birth by a one-time payment of a $400 (US) nomination fee due October 15 .

Late Foal nominations may be made in the foal's year of birth by a one-time payment of a $1,500 (US) nomination fee between October 16, of the weanling year to February 28 of the yearling year.

All foals sired by a fully nominated Breeders' Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth according to the deadlines above.

A Breeders' Cup nominated foal is eligible to participate in all Breeders' Cup racing programs each year and the $31 million Breeders' Cup World Championships races for its entire racing career without any further nomination payments due.

Nominating your foal to the Breeders' Cup provides you with valuable opportunities that can last a lifetime. Whether you plan to race or sell, nominating to Breeders' Cup is the best statement you can make about the quality of your foal. It can mean greater earnings over his entire racing career as well as higher prices at sale.

A Breeders' Cup foal nominator will earn Nominator Awards through the racing programs of the Breeders’ Cup including the Breeders' Cup World Championships - no matter who owns him at that time. So your foal can still be earning awards for you even long after you've sold him.

A Breeders' Cup nominated foal averages seven times the price of a non-nominated foal at public auction in North America. That's because your foal is worth more to customers in terms of quality and potential earnings each year. It's one of the reasons they'll want to do business with you again and again.

Foals can only be nominated at the foal nomination fees during their year of birth. If they are not nominated during their year of birth, they may be nominated at any time during their racing career by the payment of a racehorse nomination fee dependent on their sire's eligibility at the time of conception.

If a foal is sired by a Breeders' Cup stallion and is not nominated by February 28 of the yearling year, it may be nominated under the Horses of Racing Age nomination program.

If a horse is sired by a stallion not nominated to any program and is not nominated at any time during its racing career, that horse may also be nominated as a racehorse.

Nominator Awards & Rewards Program

The Nominator Awards & Rewards program is one of the most significant features of the Breeders' Cup.

Foal or Horse Nominators are paid nominator awards through the racing programs of the Breeders’ Cup including the $31 Million Breeders' Cup World Championships, regardless of whether the nominator still owns the foal or horse.

The money spent to nominate to this multi-million dollar program not only gives you the Breeders' Cup Advantage, but also supports a world-wide incentive program that promotes the Thoroughbred industry, creates new fan interest, increases media coverage and provides leadership vital to the racing industry.

Here’s what you’ll get with your nomination: