Every major sport has its championship. The NFL has the Super Bowl. Baseball has the World Series and the NHL has the Stanley Cup. But until 1984, the sport of Thoroughbred racing didn’t have a signature year-end event to decide its champions. That fact rankled prominent Central Kentucky breeder John Gaines, and through great determination, perseverance and persuasion, he set out to change it. Gaines convinced his fellow prominent breeders that funding an unprecedented day of million dollar races that would attract the best horses, trainers and jockeys from all over the world would benefit horse racing as never before. Gaines’ dream was finally realized on November 10, 1984 at Hollywood Park when the first Breeders’ Cup was born: 7 races worth a total of $10 million and televised live to a national audience on NBC Sports.

It was a smash hit. Not only was it a showcase the international racing at its highest level, but for perhaps the first time, the Thoroughbred industry pulled together in unison, with cooperation of owners, breeders, racetracks and the racing fans sending the Breeders’ Cup on an inexorable path to become one of the world’s great sporting and entertainment events. Over its 31 year history, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships has grown into a two-day extravaganza of 13 races totaling $26 million in purses and awards covering virtually all divisions in the sport and crowning champions year after year. It’s also a lot of fun, as fans from all walks of life look forward every fall to the races, accented the signature theme of “The Best is Yet to Come.”

Based in Lexington, Ky., the Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2015 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 13 grade I races and purses totaling $26 million, will be held October 30-Oct. 31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube