At some point in life, many people have probably uttered the words, “If I had the money, I would have invented this or that, built this or that, or surely, patented this or that idea.” It may have been a good idea, perhaps a great one, but as funding can be tricky, the idea remained just that: an idea.
In some cases, we see a great idea in flight and think to ourselves, “I wish I had thought of that first.“ Sure, it could be a great idea that everyone is raving about from coast-to-coast. But, in the end, even if you had the idea first, the old fickle road block of funding might have halted that marvelous idea at its’ inception.
Unless, of course, you can find yourself a “Grey Goose.”
When it comes down to horse racing, the invention of the $26m Breeders’ Cup World Championships was probably one of the most brilliant ideas that I never had to further the sport of horse racing. And, I am happy I didn’t. Because, in the end, my idea would never have taken flight when it came time to fund the whole event.
Sadly, I don’t have a “Grey Goose” to call upon.
Yet, since 2005, a “Grey Goose” has been the official sponsor of the Breeders’ Cup event - Grey Goose Vodka. And, the presence of the “Grey Goose” is pretty hard to overlook when it comes down to this marquee event in horse racing. As the premier sponsor, Grey Goose is the title sponsor of the entire Breeder’s Cup series, as well as two of the races - The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies.
However, “The Grey Goose” doesn’t stop there.
Grey Goose, a premier vodka brand, seems to appreciate the luxurious quality of Thoroughbred horse racing. The “Grey Goose” is ever-present during the two-day Breeders’ Cup series of races. Aside from sponsoring two races, Gray Goose Vodka appears at all official Breeders’ Cup events, including the pre-race parties, the VIP winners’ circle celebration and the post-race reception. Simply put, the “Grey Goose” is everywhere except on the race track itself.
Yet, what lies behind the prominent “Grey Goose” is a wealth of good for the Thoroughbred racing industry.
Brown Forman, the parent company behind Grey Goose Vodka, is quite a large sponsor toward funding the continuity of this sport in general. Aside from the Breeders’ Cup series, Brown Forman brands are present at plenty of major racing outings. Brown Forman brands are the title sponsor for the Maker’s Mark Mile and the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic. Further, their Korbel Champagne brand is the drink of plenty of toasts at winner’s circle celebrations, including the Arlington Million.
And, in the end, Brown Forman goes beyond promotions and sponsorship in racing. They give to Thoroughbred charities as part of their participation in the industry. Since 2006, Brown Forman has sponsored the “$1,000 Mint Julep” on Kentucky Derby day through their Woodford Reserve brand. The proceeds from the $1,000 Mint Julep are donated toward racing-related charities, including past contributions to the New Jersey-based Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and The Secretariat Foundation.
In the age where many Thoroughbred racing enthusiasts wonder about the future of the sport, I think it is important to recognize those who are investing in it now. This Breeders’ Cup season, as I marvel over some of the greatest Thoroughbreds to grace an oval this year, I’ll be thankful to an unlikely character - a “Grey Goose” that saw the value in providing sponsorship for this majestic event in horse racing.
