Straight No Chaser won the 2024 Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Japanese Video Game Company Remains Title Sponsor of Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Increases Commitment to World Championships
Breeders’ Cup Release
LEXINGTON, Ky.– Breeders’ Cup Limited today announced the renewal of its partnership with Cygames, Inc., the Japanese video game publisher and developer, as an official partner of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Under the renewed agreement, Cygames will continue as the name-in-title partner of the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), one of the most prestigious races on the World Championships program, to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. The extension reflects Cygames’ continuing commitment to the Breeders’ Cup, which includes expanded media coverage and new joint marketing initiatives designed to engage global audiences.
The partnership was secured in collaboration with leading media rights and venue development company JMI Sports and B-Bridge International. Cygames first joined the Breeders’ Cup in 2024, marking the international launch of the English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby, the company’s horse racing-inspired game that has become a worldwide sensation.
“We are very pleased to continue and expand our partnership with Cygames,” said Heather Higgins, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Breeders’ Cup Limited. “This enhanced collaboration demonstrates both of our organizations’ shared commitment to delivering world-class entertainment and elevating the sport of horse racing to a global audience.”
Featuring 14 Grade 1 races and more than $34 million in purses and awards, the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will once again bring together the world’s greatest horses, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys for two days of elite racing at Del Mar. Fans attending the Championships will also enjoy luxury hospitality, fine dining, high fashion, and premier entertainment at Del Mar, “Where the Turf Meets the Surf.”
ABOUT CYGAMES
Tokyo-based Cygames, Inc. is renowned for the development and management of numerous mobile and console game titles including Umamusume: Pretty Derby and Granblue Fantasy: Relink, as well as various ventures in the animation and comic industries. The company’s vision of being the best in entertainment is reflected in its constant efforts to bring original and exciting experiences to the world.
Umamusume: Pretty Derby is a simulation game and a part of the Umamusume Project, a multimedia franchise produced by Cygames, which consists of anime, manga, music, and games that tell stories of characters inspired by racehorses. Along with their classmates and trainers, the Umamusume work towards every racer’s dream—winning the Twinkle Series. The English version of Umamusume: Pretty Derby was launched this year.
