ARLINGTON, Va. (October 21, 2009) – For the first time in the 26-year history of the event, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, in partnership with the USO, will host American soldiers and their families for a day of championship Thoroughbred racing on Friday, November 6 at Santa Anita Park.
The day at the races will be sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, a prominent racing stable headed by Terrance P. Finley, a former US Serviceman and West Point graduate.
The following day Breeders’ Cup and Oak Tree Racing are hosting a “Heroes and Horses” appreciation day for thousands of local firefighters who fought the devastating Station Fire. Firefighters and their families are invited to enjoy free admission and a free lunch in the infield on Nov. 7.
The Breeders’ Cup, thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious global event, consists of 14 races held on Nov. 6-7 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The Breeders’ Cup is televised live on ABC and ESPN and in more than 130 countries outside the United States.
The USO will have a dedicated hospitality area in the racetrack infield for 350 service members from the Southern California area and their families to enjoy the exciting day of events. A mobile USO unit also will be onsite. Designed to support troops serving in remote and isolated areas throughout the U.S., these vehicles offer a comfortable place where service members can relax and connect online with family and friends during their downtime. When not in service at military facilities, the Mobile USO’s are deployed to community events around the country to raise public awareness and build support for our troops and their families.
“We thank the Breeders’ Cup for helping us provide this experience for our troops,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president. “Through their generosity, the USO is able to provide a unique day of fun to the brave men and women of our military and their families.”
“We are honored to partner with the USO to provide a very special day of entertainment for the men and women who serve our country,” said Greg Avioli, President and CEO of the Breeders’ Cup.
“As a former serviceman and a thoroughbred owner, I am extremely proud to support Breeders’ Cup and the USO together in providing our men and women of the armed forces with a terrific day at one of the world’s greatest sporting events.” said Finley.
The USO joins The V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Thoroughbred Charities of America as beneficiaries of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Charities program. Breeders’ Cup Charities was formed in 2008 to partner with and raise funds and awareness for broad-based charitable organizations. Earlier this year, Churchill Downs hosted the USO and service members and their families at the 2009 Kentucky Derby.
About the USO The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, S & K Sales Co. and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined millions of individual donors to support the USO. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.uso.org.
About Breeders’ Cup The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships; Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses, which makes it the richest event in sports. At last year’s Breeders’ Cup, more than $100 million in winning wagers were returned to fans at betting locations around the globe. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders’ Cup Stakes Program. Breeders’ Cup has offices in Lexington, Ky., and in New York City. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You may follow the Breeders’ Cup on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BreedersCup.