TDN Q&A With Josh Christian

The Breeders' Cup will be held this year behind closed doors, but that doesn't mean the racing will be of a lesser quality. Joshua Christian, vice president of racing at Breeders' Cup, talks to TDN about the Win and You're In races that have been held in Europe this year and which horses will be making the journey to Kentucky for this year's renewal.

TDN: How hard of a decision was it for Breeders' Cup to run this year behind closed doors?

JC: It was a difficult but necessary decision to conduct the 2020 World Championships without spectators due to the current conditions surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. After close communications with Governor Andy Beshear, Keeneland, local and state government officials and public health experts, we concluded it was imperative to protect the health and safety of our staff, participants and the collective Lexington community.

TDN: Will the team at Breeders' Cup be employing any new social media or technology strategies to allow connections and fans to feel as much a part of the day as they can?

JC: Absolutely. We are still committed to showcasing the world's best racing and creating a thrilling event for all fans. We are working closely with our broadcast partners at NBC Sports, as well as other innovative production companies, to develop new experiences to engage our fans and bring Keeneland to them during Breeders' Cup week and on both days of the World Championships. We are also working to deliver the signature lifestyle elements of food, beverage and fashion to our viewers' living rooms, and we look forward to announcing more details on those initiatives in the coming weeks.

TDN: What have you thought of the competition in the Win and You're In races in Europe this year?

JC: The competition has been as spectacular as always. We are lucky to be partners with great racecourses across the world, which allows us to recruit horses from the best races in the world. Additionally, the Challenge program bonus of an automatic starting position and paid entry fees for the race winners has proved to be a prime incentive for European horsemen to participate. It looks like we may have up to 10 Win and You're In winners from Europe participate in this year's Breeders' Cup.

TDN: Has it been difficult to recruit horses from Europe this year?

JC: It has been very different in comparison to previous years. It takes a very personal approach when building relationships with connections, which is hard to do from afar. That said we are currently looking at a bigger overseas challenge than we had in 2015 at Keeneland.

We are very proud to be able to maintain our prize money level at $31-million this year and this makes a difference to the international support we receive. We have seven turf races worth a total of $12-million, and owners are keen to have a shot at these valuable prizes.

TDN: Can you give any insights into what European horses might be going over this year?

JC: We are just over two weeks away, so nothing is certain yet. We are very excited about the prospect of welcoming a strong team of Yorkshire-based trainers this year. Safe Voyage (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), trained by John Quinn, has a great record going left-handed and should be suited to the turns at Keeneland. Kevin Ryan came close to Breeders' Cup success in 2018 and we are delighted that he will be represented by speedster Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead) this year.

Qatar Racing recently confirmed their Classic winner Kameko (Kitten's Joy) for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF, while a host of Win and You're In winners, including impressive Prix de l'Opera winner Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), could make the trip over.

Aidan O'Brien always sends a strong team of horses and we hope he will do the same again this year. Group 1 winners Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) alongside exciting juvenile Battleground (War Front) are all potentials from Ballydoyle at this stage. There are potentially a lot of exciting horses.

TDN: In terms of travel and quarantine what will the process be for horses and their teams be this year?

JC: We have worked hard with our stakeholders to ensure smooth travel for overseas connections. The Breeders' Cup has an Elite Sportsman Exemption. It means that all individuals involved with a runner at the Breeders' Cup will be able to attend as normal and will not be required to isolate on arrival in the US.

Horses will be required to quarantine for 42-hours on arrival, which is normal procedure.

TDN: Why do you think the Breeders' Cup is such a special racing festival?

JC: The competition. Europeans vs Americans, West Coast vs East Coast, 3-year-olds against the older generation, or boys against the girls. It is where you see the best going against the best. That's what makes it so special.

TDN: What is your favourite Breeders' Cup race and why?

JC: I think it changes every year. This year's Longines Classic looks like it could be one of the best yet. There are the older horses–Improbable (City Zip), Maximum Security (New Year's Day) and Tom's d'Etat (Smart Strike)–racing against the top 3-year-olds Authentic (Into Mischief), Happy Saver (Super Saver) and Tiz the Law (Constitution), plus top 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) is another possibility. That is all three Triple Crown race winners going against their elders.

TDN: Of all the winners over the years who is your favourite and why?

JC: It's between Zenyatta and Enable (GB). Zenyatta had so much presence and had a huge fan base here. I was lucky enough to watch Zenyatta run several times.

I have never, though, been more nervous than for the 2:32.65 it took Enable to win the 2018 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf.  There was so much pressure to have an Arc winner win at the Breeders' Cup. Enable and Frankie took care of that for us.