The Breeders' Cup World Championships will return to Churchill Downs for the ninth time for its 2018 renewal, it was announced during a press conference at the Louisville track Monday morning. Churchill Downs last hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2011.
“We are thrilled to announce our return to Louisville,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel. “Churchill Downs' ongoing, significant investment in their facility to enhance the experience for participants and fans aligns perfectly with our desire to conduct one of the best racing events in the world, and we're looking forward to another landmark event in 2018.”
The 35th world championships will be held Nov. 2 and 3, 2018.
“We are excited that the Breeders' Cup World Championships will be returning in 2018 to Churchill Downs Racetrack, the city of Louisville and Kentucky,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated. “Fan support for the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs has been spectacular in the eight previous visits and our track has been the scene of many of the most important performances in the event's history. I'm confident the return of the Breeders' Cup World Championships to Churchill Downs will be an unforgettable event.”
Churchill Downs has hosted the largest Breeders' Cup's crowds, including a record-breaking two-day attendance figure of 114,353 in 2010, which also set a two-day on-track handle record of $22,515,318 and a total two-day handle record of $173,857,697.
The Breeders' Cup will be held at Santa Anita this fall and will be held for the first time at Del Mar in 2017.
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