Breeders' Cup alters voting policy

The Breeders' Cup Limited received board approval Thursday to make changes in its system of electing board members, which will provide nominators with a voice in governing the organization.

Under the new election process, foal and stallion nominators will be eligible to vote on the selection of nominees and the election of Breeders' Cup board members on a weighted basis. For example, a $500 foal nomination fee, or each $500 increment of a stallion nomination, translates to a single vote.

Owner and breeder Frank Stronach, whose Magna Entertainment owns, among other tracks, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita, had pushed for the change. Stronach is a board member of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, which began joint operations with the Breeders' Cup on Jan. 1.

In a NTRA/Breeders' Cup press release, Stronach said, "I am very pleased that the Breeders' Cup has so quickly acted on my suggestions for realigning its board election procedures. This system is based on widely practiced shareholder voting procedures and positions our sport for greater unity and further progress."