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Breeders' Cup returns to NBC The Breeders' Cup and the NBC Sports Group Monday announced a multi-year media rights partnership beginning with the 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships, November 2-3, from Santa Anita Park, featuring the first-ever running of the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic in primetime. The agreement was announced by Craig Fravel, Breeders' Cup Limited President and CEO, and Jon Miller, President of Programming, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. NBC and NBC Sports Network will combine to present 9 1/2 hours of live coverage of the 2012 Breeders' Cup from Santa Anita in Arcadia, California, including live primetime coverage of the Breeders' Cup Classic on NBC on November 3 (8-9 p.m. ET). This marks the first time in its history that the Classic is broadcast live in primetime. The Breeders' Cup returns to NBC where it was broadcast from its inception in 1984 through 2005. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. "Everyone here is delighted that the Breeders' Cup has returned home," Miller said. "Bringing back this prestigious event, combined with our long-term partnerships for the Triple Crown with Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, in addition to the Preakness and Belmont cements the NBC Sports Group as the home of horse racing." The Breeders' Cup, Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious global racing event, consists of 15 races held over two days with more than $25 million in purses at stake. The culminating event of the Breeders' Cup, the Breeders' Cup Classic, is contested at 1 1/4 miles on the main track, for three-year-olds and up, and is often the determining race for the coveted Horse of the Year title. Over the years, 11 Classic winners have been voted Horse of the Year. In 2009 at Santa Anita Park, the great racemare Zenyatta became the first female to ever win the Classic. "We are extremely excited to begin our new relationship with NBC and the NBC Sports Group in televising the Breeders' Cup World Championships as the finale to its expanded commitment to Thoroughbred racing," Fravel said. "In addition to fans enjoying the best in international competition over the two days of the Championships on NBC Sports Network, we look forward to NBC showcasing the Breeders' Cup Classic in primetime." 2012 BREEDERS' CUP TELEVISION SCHEDULE:
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