Breeders' Cup Announces New Foal Nomination Structure

Recognizing the economic challenges facing today's Thoroughbred breeding industry, the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors has approved a new foal nomination fee structure that better reflects the modern marketplace. By aligning nomination fees more closely with a stallion's advertised stud fee, this new structure reaffirms the commitment of the Breeders' Cup to supporting breeders while strengthening participation in the world's premier international Thoroughbred racing program. Beginning with next year's foal crop, all 2027 foals sired by North American nominated stallions with an advertised fee of $5,000 or less will be assigned a $200 nomination fee, which is a 50% decrease of the current $400 nomination fee for 2026. This reduction will benefit approximately 3,500 foals each year. Foals born in 2027 sired by North American nominated stallions advertised as standing for $100,000 or more will be increased to a $600 nomination fee. The nomination fee for foals by stallions advertised as standing for $5,001 to $99,999 will remain at $400.  "Our Board recognizes that the breeding industry has changed significantly over the past two decades, and our nomination program must evolve with it," said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. "Making participation more equitable for breeders across all segments of the industry is a top priority, while simultaneously preserving the exceptional lifetime value of a Breeders' Cup nomination." All horses must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program, either as a foal or later through the racehorse nomination process, to be eligible to compete in the 14 Breeders' Cup World Championship races, which offer more than $34 million in purses and awards. Once nominated, a horse remains eligible for the Breeders' Cup World Championships and all Breeders' Cup purse and awards programs for the remainder of its racing career without any additional nomination payments. For 2026, early Foal Nominations must be submitted by Midnight, August 1, 2026 ($400 US per foal for those weanlings entered in a fall or winter stock sale), and Standard Foal Nominations must be submitted by Midnight, October 15, 2026 ($400 US per foal).