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Churchill Downs racetrack will host the 28th annual Breeders' Cup World Championships, November 4-5 in Louisville, KY.

Photo by Carrie Daut

Breeders’ Cup World Championships 2011, Louisville, KY

Thoroughbred racing’s most prestigious two-day event

by Carrie Daut | October 16, 2011

No doubt about it: Kentucky is horse country. We’re famous for the rolling hills of our horse farms, and of course for the most exciting two minutes in sports – the Kentucky Derby.

This year Louisville is also honored, for the record eighth time, to be hosting the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The Breeders’ Cup, in its 28^th year, is the definitive year-end event of the international horseracing season. The event brings together the most talented thoroughbreds from North America and Europe, crowning a star champion by the two days’ end.

The 2011 Breeders’ Cup will be held Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5 at Louisville’s legendary Churchill Downs. Events begin Friday afternoon with a first race post time of 4:10 p.m. Both days of racing will finish “under the lights” with final race times around 7 p.m. Over the two days, there will be a total of 15 races and approximately $26 million awarded in purses, making the Breeders’ Cup the richest prize money event in sports.

Various ticket options are available for the event. Reserved seating begins at $20 (Friday) or $40 (Saturday) for seats in the Grandstand. Clubhouse box seating begins at $50, and pricier dining seats are also still available.

Insider Tip: New this year, all reserved seat ticket holders will receive a complimentary racing program!

For cheaper ticket options, general admission tickets are $10 (Friday) and $20 (Saturday) if purchased online through November 3. If purchased at the gate, general admission tickets will be $15 (Friday) and $25 (Saturday).

Insider Tip: General admission is not a reserved seat. However, general admission ticket holders still have access to race viewing from certain sections of the Grandstand.

For the 2011 Breeders’ Cup, Churchill Downs will open at 12 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday. ATMs, concession stands and bars are all offered inside the facility.

Churchill Downs is located at 700 Central Avenue, three miles from downtown and two miles from the Louisville International Airport. Remote parking at Papa John’s Stadium ($15 per car) and the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center ($8 per car) will be available during the Breeders’ Cup. While both lots are within walking distance from Churchill Downs, paid shuttles will be offered as well ($10-$20).

To purchase Breeders’ Cup tickets, visit breederscup.com/tickets or call 877-TIX-4CUP. For directions, race schedule, raceday info (including prohibited items) and more, visit breederscup.com.