ITM named as official Breeders' Cup partner

Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle battalions have long been a staple at the Breeders' Cup World Championships and Ireland's influence at the Stateside showpiece has increased further with the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) announced as an official partner of the global racing festival.

As part of the deal ITM will have branding opportunities at this year's meeting at Del Mar in southern California on November 3 and 4.

Breeders’ Cup president and chief executive Craig Fravel said: "We're very pleased to enter this first-time partnership with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, representing a nation that has been so prominent and successful in the Breeders’ Cup since our inception."

He continued: “One of the core principles of the Breeders’ Cup, which we share with Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, is to expand the global reach in the promotion and excellence of international racing. We're excited to begin this partnership to further expand and enhance those goals.”

Highland Reel wins the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita in 2015, another winner at the meeting for Aidan O'Brien.Credit: Edward whitaker

ITM chief executive Charles O'Neill said: "Irish-bred, Irish-owned and Irish-trained horses have had a long and very successful involvement in the Breeders’ Cup, one of the greatest racing festivals in the world."

Irish-trained Breeders' Cup raiders have enjoyed 28 World Championship successes, the most of any nation outside the States.