Breeders’ Cup T-Shirt Design Contest Racing to Help Workers, Stakeholders Affected by COVID-19

As we've noted, the sports world has been taking many measures to assist various causes and groups that are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Athletes’ involvement has given a lifeline to many individuals, with a few organizations joining the mix. The overseers of the Breeders’ Cup have become another entrant in the race for COVID-19 relief by crafting a T-shirt design contest that will direct proceeds to “backstretch communities and other industry stakeholders” whose livelihoods have taken a hit.

Fans are invited to create a T-Shirt design to be produced and sold on https://t.co/CjYaaQZH2W. @BreedersCup will donate all its proceeds from sales of the winning T-Shirt design to support the various backstretch communities.https://t.co/ajz3F2eYvg

— TDN (@theTDN) May 5, 2020

Horse racing hit the news cycle this past weekend, as Saturday would have marked the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby, which will shift to September 5. Because of that alteration, it was easy to call to mind what COVID-19 might do to the rest of not only the racing world’s schedule but also its overall integrity.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are set to occur in November, so organizers are certainly already devoting time to its setup and identity, and want to see this year’s two-day affair as a chance to celebrate those who have contributed to its existence. Through May 31, people all across the country have their chance to thank that population by participating in the contest. Calling for creations that incorporate the world championships’ customary visual components, the competition will, if we were betting people, likely receive a bunch of submissions that pay homage to the decision by the Breeders’ Cup to stage the event in Lexington, Ky., given the Bluegrass State’s detailed racing history.

With respect to the designs, Drew Fleming, president and CEO of the Breeders’ Cup, is hoping that they energize his field’s fan base and that they go a long way extending “a helping hand to those in need.” Since the winning contribution will be available at the Breeders' Cup online store and present at the Keeneland Race Course that serves as this year’s host, it is likely that the starting gate to win the chance to help the horse racing community will be a crowded location.