Breeders’ Cup Limited announced a partnership with Cygames, Inc. as an official partner of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Cygames is a Japanese video game publisher and developer that provides video games, comics, and animations. Under the agreement, Cygames becomes the name-in-title partner of the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), which will be held on Nov. 2 at this year’s World Championships. The partnership with Cygames, arranged in collaboration with leading media rights and sponsorship sales firm JMI Sports, will mark the upcoming launch of the English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, a simulation game that debuted in Japan in 2021.
“We are delighted to welcome Cygames as a new official partner of the World Championships,” said Heather Higgins, senior vice president of Corporate Partnerships for Breeders’ Cup Limited. “Cygames is a leading brand in the gaming world and, like the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, is committed to delivering high-quality entertainment to a global audience.”
Featuring 14 grade 1 races and more than $34 million in purses and awards, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will entertain fans from around the globe as the sport’s best horses, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys compete over two days of world-class racing Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. Attendees will also enjoy outstanding culinary experiences, high fashion, and top entertainment at Del Mar, “Where the Turf meets the Surf” on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, as the World Championships are held at the seaside oval for a third time.
“It is my great honor to announce our partnership with one of the world’s most prestigious institutions in horse racing, the Breeders’ Cup,” said Koichi Watanabe, president of Cygames. “Cygames’ mission is to bring ‘The Best in Entertainment’ to a global audience through our works and public endeavors. As part of that vision, we are releasing the English language version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, a game heavily influenced by the world of horse racing. Our hope is to forge a relationship with racing enthusiasts through our partnership with the Breeders’ Cup and provide another avenue for potential fans to discover our content.”
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
