New group of ambassadors join previously named ambassadors
Bobby Flay, Bo Derek, Elizabeth Banks, Toby Keith, Jim Rome,
Joe Torre, Laura Bell Bundy, Rick Pitino, Rob Dydrek and Wes Welker; World Championships to be held in Los Angeles Nov. 1-2
(LOS ANGELES, Oct. 29, 2013) – Kate Upton, Gary Player, James Carville, Avery Johnson, John Ortiz and Steven Jackson are being honored and added to this year’s Breeders’ Cup Ambassadors. They join ten other celebrity racing fans and owners who were named Ambassadors during the program’s inaugural year in 2012. The program offers rewards which allow the Ambassadors to enjoy horse racing all over the world, including concierge service, tickets, and more. Additionally, they will serve as spokespersons for the 2013 Breeders’ Cup World Championships and help promote this prestigious international event.
The new Breeders’ Cup Ambassadors include: Kate Upton (International Supermodel), Gary Player (Golf Icon), James Carville (Political Commentator/Media Personality), Avery Johnson (Former NBA Coach/Player), John Ortiz (Actor) and Steven Jackson (Atlanta Falcons’ Record-Holding Running Back).
“I am thrilled to join the Breeders’ Cup Ambassador team,” Kate Upton shares. “You can’t beat the style, entertainment and excitement of a day at the races, especially when you’re watching the world’s best Thoroughbreds compete. Horses are my passion. I grew up riding and competing and own a couple of horses now, so it was a natural choice to come on board as a Breeders’ Cup Ambassador.”
The new Ambassadors are not only horse racing fans but also riders, owners and breeders. Kate Upton joins the program as a seasoned horse riding champion. Having competed on a national level, Upton began earning coveted titles before the age of 13. Gary Player has been a longtime horse racing fan and has bred over 2000 winning thoroughbred horses on his stud farm in South Africa. With many friends at WinStar Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, new horse owner Avery Johnson is quickly becoming a racing connoisseur.
“My love for thoroughbred horses and racing closely rivals my love for golf, and it is such a thrill to now be named an ambassador for the Breeders’ Cup,” said Gary Player. “I have been breeding racehorses on my South African stud farm for nearly 40 years and have always considered the Breeders’ Cup as one of the greatest races in the world.”
Previously inducted Ambassadors include: Bobby Flay (Renowned Chef/Breeders’ Cup Board Member), Bo Derek (Iconic Actress/California Horse Racing Commissioner), Elizabeth Banks (Actress), Toby Keith (Singer/Songwriter), Jim Rome (Sports Radio Talk Show Host), Joe Torre (Former Major League Baseball Manager/Player), Laura Bell Bundy (Actress/Singer), Rick Pitino (University of Louisville Basketball Coach), Rob Dyrdek (Professional Skateboarder), and Wes Welker (Denver Broncos Wide Receiver).
“We welcome our new class of Ambassadors, who cut across a wide dimension of entertainment, sports, politics and style, but all the common love and passion for promoting horse racing and the Breeders’ Cup,” said Craig Fravel, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO.
The 30th running of the Breeders’ Cup takes place November 1-2 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA. The Breeders’ Cup has become the culmination of the thoroughbred-racing season, and attracts the best horses, trainers and owners from across the globe. This prestigious international event consists of 14 races with purses and awards totaling more than $27 million. Tickets to the Breeders’ Cup can still be purchased at www.breederscup.com/tickets. Tune-in on Saturday, November 2, 8:00 PM-9:00 PM ET to NBC for primetime coverage of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. Full TV schedule can be found at www.breederscup.com
About Breeders’ Cup
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships. The Breeders’ Cup also administers the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The 2013 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 races and purses totaling $27 million will be held Nov. 1-2 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., and will be televised live by the NBC Sports Network. 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
Contact:
Jim Gluckson, Breeders’ Cup, 212-230-9512, jgluckson@breederscup.com
Joanna Cichocki/ Elise Freimuth/Kelly Barrett
PMK*BNC, 310-854-4800
joanna.cichocki@pmkbnc.com
elise.freimuth@pmkbnc.com
kelly.barrett@pmkbnc.com
