Emirates expands Cup sponsorship

Emirates Airline has reached an agreement to continue its sponsorship of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and will also sponsor the Breeders' Cup Turf for the first time, Breeders' Cup and Emirates said on Monday.

Emirates Airline, which is based in Dubai, had previously sponsored the Filly and Mare Turf and the Distaff, but will take over sponsorship of the Turf this year from John Deere, the farm-equipment manufacturer that is a longtime sponsor of Breeders' Cup.

A spokesman for Breeders' Cup said that an announcement on the participation of John Deere and other companies in sponsoring Breeders' Cup races would be made later this year.

The Emirates agreement will also make the company the "official airline" of the Breeders' Cup, according to the two companies.

The Breeders' Cup this year will be held at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 24 and 25.