Equestricon convention to be held Breeders' Cup week in Kentucky

Equestricon, the racing-fan convention that was held for the first time last year, will be held in 2018 in Louisville, Ky., just prior to the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs in that city, the event’s organizers have announced.

The convention, which is modeled after Comic Con and other similar events, will be held on Oct 29-30, the Monday and Tuesday prior to the two-day Breeders’ Cup event, scheduled for Nov. 2-3 at Churchill Downs. In a release, the organizers said that Equestricon would be part of a large schedule of racing-related events held in the lead-up to the Breeders’ Cup.

“Thanks to exciting conversations we’ve had with Breeders’ Cup, Churchill Downs Inc., and our various partners, we look forward to offering a cohesive fan experience for those who want to go on farm tours, visit distilleries, enjoy the track, and everything in and around Louisville,” said Kathryn Sharp, a co-founder of Equestricon.

The first Equestricon was held in August in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the location of Saratoga Race Course, the famous racetrack that draws thousands of racing fans a day to upstate New York. Conference organizers were hoping that the location would provide a natural fit for the inaugural convention.

The organizers said that they plan to schedule panel discussions on topics including handicapping, racing photography, horse ownership, and breeding. As at the first Equestricon, attendees will also be able to attend meet-and-greets with racing personalities.