Champions League

As Curlin prepares to take on Cigar's all-time earnings mark on Saturday in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, we heard once again from majority owner Jess Jackson (who seems to share my enthusiasm for the current crop of European stars). Yes, there was more will-he-won't-he about Curlin running in the Breeders' Cup (and of course I hope he does), but looking further down the line, Jackson reiterated his call for other owners to step up to the plate as far as keeping the big names in training: Jackson is also focused on the idea of creating a league to encourage owners to race colts beyond their 3-year-old year. "I am hoping several owners will join with me in starting an effort to race older horses, form a league, and maybe even have a commissioner to discipline those that create infractions,” he said. "Older horses should run longer. I am hoping we can create a league for 4 and 5 year olds, increase the purses, promote them, and get sponsors." I think his idea is a great starting point, but it needs more help from the industry at large to gain momentum. Given the pull the Breeders' Cup has as an organization (see recently their moves on the drug front), I suggest that they need to add weight to this issue as well. One of the ideas I had for our Task Force report (PDF) that did not really fit the bill for marketing does fit in here: Reduce or waive Breeders' Cup nomination fees for the offspring of stallions who have competed in the event (or other BC-sponsored races) for more than one year. Or, framed as a penalty: Charge considerably higher Breeders' Cup nomination fees for stallions who retired to stud before the end of their 4-year-old year. There should still be plenty of money rolling in as far as nomination fees from all the major stud farms, so while it's still something of a token gesture, it's a start. Given that breeding has become the economic engine of the racing industry and facing the reality that purses will never replace that, it's up to major players like the Breeders' Cup and major stud farms to force the issue. I'd love to see a Breeders' Cup Champions' League for older horses - and if dropping their nomination fees sweetens the deal, bring it on. Just ask UEFA about the marketing opportunities...