LEXINGTON, Ky., Oct. 5, 2026 — Cygames will continue as an official partner of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2026, with the Japanese video game publisher renewing its association with the international meeting at Keeneland.
The partnership will again see Cygames serve as the title partner of the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), which will be run on Saturday, Oct. 31, during the 43rd Breeders’ Cup World Championships in Lexington.
Cygames first joined the Breeders’ Cup in 2024. Under the renewed agreement, its presence at Keeneland will be expanded, with a particular emphasis on the growing relationship between Japanese racing and the Breeders’ Cup.
Cygames partnership highlights Japan’s growing Breeders’ Cup presence
The expanded on-site activation will bring Thoroughbred racing together with Cygames’ Umamusume: Pretty Derby, its globally popular horse racing-inspired game.
A major attraction will be a life-size statue of the Umamusume counterpart of Forever Young (JPN), winner of the 2025 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The display will also feature photographs and graphics celebrating Japanese horses that have competed successfully at the World Championships.
Heather Higgins, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Breeders’ Cup Limited, said the renewed relationship reflects the increasingly international reach of both organisations and the important role Japan now plays in the Breeders’ Cup story.
Japanese-trained horses have made a growing impact on the championships in recent years. In 2021, Loves Only You became the first Japanese-trained horse to win a Breeders’ Cup race when taking the Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Later the same day, Marche Lorraine added another victory for Japan in the Distaff (G1).
Forever Young produced another landmark moment last year when becoming the first Japan-trained winner of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. Owned by Susumu Fujita, founder and chairman of Cygames’ parent company CyberAgent, Inc., Forever Young is now targeting a successful defence of his title at Keeneland.
The 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held over Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland and will feature 14 Grade 1 races, with more than $34 million in purses and awards. The two-day meeting is expected to bring together leading horses and racing connections from across the world.
For Cygames and the Breeders’ Cup, the renewed partnership adds another chapter to an increasingly strong connection between Japanese racing culture and one of the sport’s biggest international championships.
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