I am unsure why anyone would be surprised by this. Thoroughbred racing and breeding has been a patron industry since the beginning. A fiefdom, centered completely, on the patron. The sense that there was any real sense of a business or an industry is a phallacy. Having been a small breeder once, I saw from all angles an extradinary halt to any real growth possibility. This is more than likely why the state has always balked on giving too much to the industry. What is most sad is the large number of lower paid "serfs" that will see their livelihoods go away. I was fought tooth and nail when I was involved for even suggesting thoughts like governing body, online sales,etc. The unlikely sense that this "industry" would ever step into the 21st century was impossible. The powers that be have for years done as they please, always counting on a "bank" in either Dubai or Ireland to save them. Sorry "lords," but their funds are drying up now also. Oh well, they finally are getting what they  want, a white,male WASP country club. "Will the back 9 fit into the Keeneland infield? Who Cares they will just bulldoze another small farm that is closing."  

I decided not to nominate my foal this year.  I was worried i'd regret it, but not now!!!!  

I am very disappointed in The Breeders Cup.  As a very small breeder, I have had no hopes of ever having a horse in the Breeders Cup.  However, having one in a regional stakes race with Breeders Cup money added was a real possibility.  Thats where my money was going when I nominated my foals.  I have to wonder the legalities of them changing the program after moneys have been invested.  If I go out to dinner and buy a full course meal, I would be highly indignant if they only brought me a drink and said that they changed the menu but charged me for the full meal.  I have to think this is the start of a very bad run for The Breeders Cup.

Intresting about the Blood Horse name, I always wondered. I'm glad that the Breeders Cup is keeping the Championship Races because thats what fans want to see

Scot, you nailed it.  I emailed the Breeders Cup after the announcement on Friday and said nearly the same thing.  I nominated two foals this year, for $1000.  I hope Sheik Mohammed says thanks when he gets my money this year in his purses.  The BC has made a number of bizarre decisions lately, chief among them the stupid Ladies Day concept that resulted in Zenyatta running on the minor day.  The BC has not raised the nomination of $500 since its inception in 1984, which shows you that their marketing research has shown that they cannot charge more without diminishing returns. I have always been a huge supporter of the BC, but now I can see it folding like the Championship Series of a few years ago.  How sad.

Personally I think that the "Breeders Cup" should re-imburse any breeder from 2006-2008 (if those breeders wish it so), since at least those breeders have already paid their nomination money and won't be able to partake in those races in 2009.

And if the "Breeders Cup" doesn't offer to then it's just plain stealing !!!

Then what kind of attention would that bring to Racing if a "Class Action Lawsuit" were to be filed on behalf of those breeders ???

The decision is the death of the scheme.  No-one should trust these people ever again.  As a scheme for breeders it would be better to keep the stakes incentives going and close the championship.  Who benefits for that .. Coolmore, Godolphin, the members of the BC board and few more fat cats. Apparently the fans would like to see the championships and that should be easy to finance .. if all the fans threw in $50 each.  Or is it the fans want the breeders to supply their enjoyment for free?

The decision by the breeders cup to suspend the stakes program just shows how little consideration they have for the small breeders.  The stakes program was one of the few programs the small breeder can hope to make some money in this game if he is fortunate to own a decent horse.

TO ACT SURPRISED and shocked is hyperbole- the reaction ought to be that those at the helm of the Breeder's cup have really been disingenuous from the very begining. When you claim to have the best race horses run in race for which you have to pay 40,000 to start is and has always been a joke. It WAS and is a scam to fleece the SERFs just the like the LOTTERY does.

Yes from now on they can name it the SHIEKH's CUP or some such thing because TOM, DICK and HARRY have never had a shot at it even though they financed it through their 500 dollars per foal subscription.

And they have the audacity to ask me to nominate my foals and my stallion !

This is another example of racing trying to self destruct. They added a second day of racing, which, as a spectator, was a kind of overkill. Now they are eliminating the Breeders Cup Stakes program throughout the year. What about the 'Win and you are in'races? Effectively that eliminates the possibility of more horses even having a chance of going to the races, based on earnings. Why would anyone want to even nominate their foals? In tough times, they would be smarter to cut back to the previous one day of racing, and use the purses from the second day to distribute for the year long BC Stakes program, to distribute the chances better among the owners and breeders. But what do I know? There is a reason why I choose NOT to be involved to closely with the racing industry, and this is an example of that reason.

I'm not sure I understand "dynaformers" comments,on the breeders cup keeping the "championship races" or perhaps I mis-interpreted the article and it's intent? If anyone could offer clarification I would appreciate it.

I would not be so sure that this is not a death knell to the Breeders' Cup in the long run.  I breed both in Kentucky and in a regional market.  I would be shocked if any of my regional foals ever ran in one of the championship day races; however, I have always nominated them as the Breeders' Cup had four BC races at our local track and 8 more at tracks within a one day haul.  I aim to breed stakes winners, so nominating to the Breeders' Cup has made sense... up until now.  In the future, I will still nominate my Kentucky bred foals; however, none of my regional foals will be nominated.  I have to wonder if the Breeders' Cup has calculated the effect of losing the stallion and nomination fees from all of the regional markets???

The old "Bait and Switch" -

They should have to run the program in 2009. If they want to cut it - announce it for next year.

Cut out a few of the over paid employees at Breeder's Cup - what could they possibly have to do all day long for a 40 hour week once the fees are collected once a year?  All they need is 1 to answer the phone,  2 to do accounting and 1 to oversee it. How many are there in that office - 50?  What a rip off this program has been overall for breeders.

If they lowered the fee to $300 each/or less as weanlings; or $500 each as yearlings - more people would nominate and in the end there would be more money for the program. Shutting down nominations Oct. 1st of the weanling year for too much money is just stupid.  

If the time was extended, the pressure would be off breeders to come up with the money and if they are sold, the buyer could still nominate them.

Plus, I really get pissed off when I put up all the nominations for BC & state program and the horse dies or is injured. Should be a partial rebate. Ha! Never going to happen any more than the stud fees will rebate from last year that we have no money to pay because so many sold poorly  this year and did not bring stud fee, much less the cost of raising them.

I must be confused. Isn't the BC the "Super Bowl" of thoroughbred racing? Who is making these hammerhead decisions? I was shocked at these developments but I seem to be in the minority. I need to get a clue. Am I wrong to think Alydar WASN'T killed for the insurance money?

Actually, Gammyp6, I think you are absolutely correct about Alydar, but that's for another blog......

Regarding the BC opting out of having to deal with all those nasty old breeders, why not just call it a "Really Big Racing Weekend" and be done with it?? AT THE VERY LEAST, the name must be changed to reflect the target audience, and guys....it is NOT breeder's. Silly me, I always thought the BC was a celebration of the art of breeding wonderful horses; obviously it is really the art of flim flamming the racing public. Don't color me amazed; I'm far too old and cynical for that, but you can color me REALLY PO'D!! If were a breeder I'd tell 'em find another sucker buy their damn Brooklyn Bridge!!

Breeder's Cup?? BAH, HUMBUG!

I did not like it when they split up the breeders cup into ladies day and boys day.  I understand why they did it, but I think they sold out by doing that.  I have never been to a breeders cup championship and was considering going, but it would be too expensive having to stay an extra day (motels, meals, tickets, etc.).

I agree with all of the above.  Racing is going down the toilet along with the rest of the country!

And speaking of "Breeder's Cup", when was the last time any big deal was made of the BREEDERS of these horses when they win a Breeder's Cup race? I never see or hear of them.  Just once I would like to see a BREEDER in the Winner's Circle too and given some credit for the horse they have produced.  I used to nominate all my foals - but not anymore.  

I heard a tale years ago about how the term "Bloodhorse" came about.  IT was a term that was given to the original offspring from the 3 foundation Arabian stallions and the big English draft mares.   Now as for the Breeders Cup series suspending its stakes program, I am wondering if this is temporary or a permanent thing?  If permanent, it will do serious damage to Thoroughbred racing.  Once again the industry will have to change and I don't think the people who are running the game right now know how to do that.  I am a breeder, but I do not rely on the Breeders cup to make money for me.  It seems to many breeders are in that mold.  Breed good race horses and use common sense.  That will take you much farther than the system will ever take you.

I read that "midsummer" racing coverage will be gone.  Minimal Breeders' Cup t.v. buildup two weekends 4-5 weekends before the event.  Now THERE'S THE WAY TO ATTRACT NEW FANS AND "GROW" THE SPORT.  Curlin's races received no t.v. coverage before SA, and we wonder why he failed to draw a crowd.  The photo of his Churchill farewell said it all; you can count the fans.  This is what the overpaid suits have brought us.

Well apparently the article hit a nerve.  Although I was brought up and worked in the TB industry, I am only a spectator now.  My question is why can't BC do a better job on TV coverage?  It is a showcare afterall.

What an asinine move for the Breeders Cup folks to make. Especially announcing it now when people have already nominated.  They have upset us all and those not already nominated this year I guarantee will not do it now. What about all of us that nominated in previous years, unless we have a Champion we will be out of luck trying to make money in 2009 BC races.  Shame on Breeders Cup management

Power to the People!  The BC reverses themselves after a nominators' outcry.  Now, if they would just make a public accounting of their balance sheet, we might be able to sign on to whatever trimming and cutting they need to make.  I would understand a reduction in purse enhancements.  I just couldn't stomach a cancellation of the program eight weeks after they took my money.

MAYBE SARAH PALIN CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM HER FRONT YARD!