The two days of Breeders’ Cup World Championships racing on Oct. 26-27 at Monmouth Park will cap a month-long celebration in Monmouth County with local events scheduled throughout the weeks leading up to the races.
The Breeders’ Cup month will begin on Friday, Sept. 28, with a kickoff cocktail party at the Shrewsbury Sailing and Yacht Club in Oceanport, followed the next day, Sept. 29, by the FanFest Sailing Regatta on the Shrewsbury River. More than 100 boats will participate in the Regatta.
On Thursday and Friday, Oct. 11-12, there will be a FanFest Exhibit titled “The Magnificent Thoroughbred.” The exhibit features the work of Pulitzer Prize-nominated photographer Jon Kral, and is presented by Monmouth University and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. The exhibit will be held in the Monmouth University Gallery.
On Sunday, Oct. 14, the FanFest Polo Match will be held on the field across from Monmouth Park. The match will draw players from local, state and regional polo clubs.
Saturday, Oct. 20, brings the Oceanport FanFest 5k Run. The event is sponsored by the Monmouth Park host municipality, Oceanport, and will draw more than 1,200 runners.
Oceanport FanFest will be in Oceanport from Friday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 21, featuring a family fair atmosphere with games, amusements and food booths. The events will take place on the grounds at Monmouth Park.
The Breeders’ Cup was established in 1984 to crown champion Thoroughbreds in all divisions in a series of races that draw the best racehorses in the world.
The same weekend, the Middletown Arts Center will hold an Equine Festival, featuring the equine-related paintings of local artists.
There will also be booths selling equine-related crafts, paintings, sculptures and other items.