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Breeders’ Cup At Del Mar: Limited General Admission Tickets To Go On Sale Wednesday

Breeders' Cup announced Monday that a limited amount of General Admission tickets for the 2021 World Championships at Del Mar will go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 20, at Noon ET/9:00 a.m. PT. This year's prestigious international event returns to the iconic Southern California racing venue for the second time in its history on Nov. 5 and 6.

Beginning Wednesday, fans can purchase General Admission tickets online at BreedersCup.com/Tickets or by calling the ticketing office at (859) 514-9428. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible, as demand is expected to be high. Guests will return to the World Championships after being unable to attend in person in 2020 at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky. The 2021 World Championships promises to further cement the annual Breeders' Cup as an unparalleled experience showcasing world-class horse racing, entertainment, and hospitality.

“We are pleased to be able to offer General Admission tickets as we welcome our fans back to sunny Del Mar,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “Breeders' Cup and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club are working alongside public health officials and medical experts to ensure we provide a safe return for the eager and loyal fans who have waited for more than a year to experience the World Championships in person.”

The historic Del Mar racetrack is located just 20 miles north of San Diego alongside the Pacific Ocean, where “the turf meets the surf.” In addition to best-in-class racing, attendees will enjoy the scenic seaside city backdrop coupled with the vibrant nightlife of nearby San Diego.

General Admission attendees can choose from three ticket options that offer a range of access to the weekend's events.

Clubhouse General Admission passes provide access to the 1st through 3rd floors of the Clubhouse including concessions, multiple wagering locations, and track apron to view racing. Two-day Clubhouse passes can be purchased for $300, while single day tickets can be purchased for $100 on Friday and $200 on Saturday.
Trackside General Admission passes include access to the 1st through 3rd floors of the Grandstand (Stretch Run), including concessions, multiple wagering locations, and the track apron to view racing. Two-day Trackside passes can be purchased for $150, while single day tickets can be purchased for $50 on Friday and $100 on Saturday.
Two-day Stretch Run Packages can be purchased for $675, and include a reserved box seat on Friday paired with a Clubhouse general admission pass on Saturday.

General Admission tickets are standing room only and do not include a reserved seat. Benches will be located around the facility, as well as on the apron, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. All tickets will be sold in advance of the Championships, and are subject to availability at the time of purchase, as well as evolving public health guidelines. No tickets will be sold on-site. More information on seating options and ticket pricing can be viewed at BreedersCup.com/Tickets.

Premium dining packages are still available for purchase here. Prices range from $775 to $1,875 per seat, while single-day Friday box seating and reserved seating are available starting at $175 per seat.

A complimentary public shuttle service will be operating to and from the track from our designated off-site park-and-ride location at Del Mar Horse Park on both Nov. 5 and 6. To purchase your park-and-ride pass in advance click here.

The Breeders' Cup 2021 World Championships at Del Mar will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group.

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Breeders’ Cup to Require Extra Scrutiny of Baffert Horses

Horses trained by Bob Baffert, whose Kentucky Derby win with Medina Spirit (Protonico) remains in doubt due to a betamethasone positive, will undergo enhanced scrutiny in order to participate in the upcoming Breeders' Cup championship races at Del Mar, the Breeders' Cup announced Sunday.

The statement by the Breeders' Cup read:

“The Breeders' Cup Board of Directors convened a special review under legal counsel to evaluate the recent conduct of Mr. Bob Baffert in order to determine whether he should be permitted to participate in the 2021 World Championships. In the interest of fairness, Mr. Baffert was provided with advanced notice and an opportunity to take part in the process, and the Board appreciated his participation and cooperation in connection with its inquiries.

“Based on the totality of the circumstances, Breeders' Cup has decided to require all horses trained by Mr. Baffert to undergo enhanced out-of-competition, pre- and post-race testing and other security protocols, at his own expense, in order to participate in the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

“In addition to operating under the rules and regulations of both the California Horse Racing Board and Del Mar for the 2021 World Championships, those competing in any Breeders' Cup race are subject to another set of rules specific to the Breeders' Cup, which include the Breeders' Cup Condition of Entry, the Prohibited Substance Rule and the Convicted Trainer Rule. On top of our industry-leading protocols and standards, additional testing and security requirements for any horse under Mr. Baffert's care will be administered at his expense under a signed agreement to provide a more targeted layer of accountability. These additional measures include increased randomized out-of-competition testing for all prohibited and restricted substances, additional tests administered the week of the World Championships, increased veterinarian and security checks, and in-person 24-hour security surveillance ahead of the horse or horses' respective events. Mr. Baffert has agreed to abide by each of these additional measures.

“Working with horses and competing in the World Championships is a privilege, and medication restrictions and testing protocols are in place for a reason. The Breeders' Cup expects Mr. Baffert's complete cooperation in ensuring that every horse under his care is in full compliance with all medication restrictions and safety standards.

“Breeders' Cup looks forward to the uniform rules and enforcement mechanisms that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's antidoping and medication control program will bring to our sport.”

Baffert responded to a text from the TDN, saying, “I share the values of the Breeders' Cup board and the principles which underlie the World Championships of our great sport. I welcomed the good-faith inquiry of the Breeders' Cup Racing Committee and we transparently answered their requests, through documentation and in-person meetings. I invite any pre-race scrutiny and testing for my Breeders' Cup entrants. I compliment the horsemen on the Breeders' Cup board that selflessly provided their time, diligence and integrity in reviewing the true facts and not acting on a false rush to judgment.”

The Breeders' Cup announced in mid-September it had begun a review process into Baffert's participation in this year's championship races with Medina Spirit the most high-profile of the trainer's five drug positives in a one-year period. Churchill Downs issued Baffert a two-year suspension, while the New York Racing Association has faced legal challenges to a similar ban, possibly complicating any actions the Breeders' Cup board might have considered (The Week in Review: Baffert Should be Allowed to Run in Breeders' Cup).

Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming responded to a request for comment via email, saying, “The thoroughbred industry is a small one and Breeders' Cup is an industry board. While there are instances of professional and personal overlap due to the nature and size of our industry, every Breeders' Cup Director takes his or her fiduciary obligations to the Breeders' Cup seriously. I have no doubt that they acted solely in the best interest of the organization when reviewing this matter. Beyond that, we do not publicly disclose the specifics of board deliberations or votes.”

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Qatar Racing To Be Official Partner Of Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Breeders' Cup and Qatar Racing announced a multi-year partnership that designates Qatar Racing as the official title partner of the $2-million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), beginning at this year's World Championships at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif., on Nov. 5-6.

The partnership also designates the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by QIPCO) (G1) as “Win and You're In” Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), respectively. The two races will take place on British Champions Day on Saturday, Oct. 16 at Ascot Racecourse.

“The Breeders' Cup is one of the most famous race meetings in the world, and to have the QIPCO Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as 'Win and You're In' races on QIPCO British Champions Day will only help to evolve the prestige of the day,” said Sheikh , chairman of Qatar Racing. “Qatar Racing is also delighted to be sponsoring the Breeders' Cup Sprint as we continue to raise the profile of Qatar Racing as an international brand and off the back of our growing success in America with the likes of Shedaresthedevil winning the Oaks last year.”

“This exciting partnership reinforces our shared commitment with Qatar Racing to promote the best Thoroughbred racing in the world to new and growing audiences,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders' Cup president and CEO. “Qatar Racing is guided by a deep passion for Thoroughbred racing, making them an excellent partner in our efforts to continuously elevate the prestigious status of the World Championships to audiences across the globe.”

The agreement will allow Qatar Racing to grow its brand in the U.S. and among key international audiences as best-in-class trainers, owners, breeders, and jockeys from all over the world meet in Southern California to compete at the highest-levels of Thoroughbred racing. Qatar Racing's brand will be featured prominently in onsite signage at Del Mar and during the NBC Sports' broadcast of the World Championships, and with international broadcast outlets

As a corporate partner of Breeders' Cup, Qatar Racing will also be featured in the event program, on the Breeders' Cup website and owned social handles, and on the Breeders' Cup World Championship Player's Show hosted by TVG.

Tickets for the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships are on sale now at BreedersCup.com/Tickets. The World Championships will be televised on NBC and NBCSN.

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Breeders’ Cup Festival Begins Nov. 1

The lineup for the 2021 Breeders' Cup Festival, presented by PNC Bank, was announced Tuesday. The week-long series of events and activations will run Nov. 1-6, 2021, with events preceding and following the 38th annual World Championships, which takes place Nov. 5-6, 2021, at Del Mar.

“In addition to featuring the greatest horse racing in the world, Breeders' Cup showcases the host city's best local food, entertainment and culture. We're excited to be back at Del Mar for a second time, and we look forward to offering our fans a rich selection of events and activities through this year's festival,” Drew Fleming, Breeders' Cup President and CEO, said. “There are no better partners than PNC Bank and the Del Mar Village Association to help bring this festival to life and we hope to see residents of San Diego County and beyond enjoying our Championship races and festival events, all while supporting local businesses.”

Confirmed event highlights include:

Rood & Riddle Breeders' Cup Post-Position Draw (Monday, Nov. 1);

Del Mar Village Live Music (Tuesday, Nov. 2 – Sunday, Nov. 7);

Fashionable Fillies Goes West Benefiting The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation (Wednesday, Nov. 3);

Edwin J. Gregson Foundation Gala (Wednesday, Nov. 3);

DMTC Bing Crosby Season Opening Day VIP Viewing Party & Breeders' “Cup” of Beer & Whiskey Wednesday (Wednesday, Nov. 3);

Festival Golf Tournament (Thursday, Nov. 4); and

DMVA Breeders' Cup VIP Welcome Party (Thursday, Nov. 4).

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