The Breeders Crown: A Legacy of Foresight and Perseverance

Four decades ago, the birth of the championship series was a story of foresight and perseverance. As The Meadowlands prepares to play host to the finals for the 41st edition of the Breeders Crown, Hambletonian Society executive vice president Tom Charters recounts the journey that led to the creation of this iconic event.

Pioneering a New Era in Harness Racing

The Idea Takes Root

The origins of the Breeders Crown can be traced back to the social circles of Lexington, Kentucky. It was there that the concept of a year-end championship series for harness racing first took shape. John Cashman, Curt Greene, and Hambletonian Society secretary George Alexander collaborated to draft the initial proposal, drawing inspiration from the success of the Breeders' Cup in thoroughbred racing.The key players in this endeavor were Fred Van Lennep, the owner of Castleton Farm, and John Gaines, a prominent figure in the thoroughbred industry who had a background in harness racing. Van Lennep, influenced by his involvement in the thoroughbred scene, recognized the need for a similar championship program in the standardbred world. He approached Cashman, the general manager of Castleton Farm, with the idea, and together they sought the support of the Hambletonian Society.

Assembling the Team

As the Breeders Crown concept gained momentum, Tom Charters, who was working in Macau at the time, received a call from his former boss, Delvin Miller. Miller informed Charters that the Hambletonian Society had a new project and was looking for someone to lead it. Charters, intrigued by the opportunity, went to Pompano for what he thought would be a job interview, only to be told by Cashman that he had already been selected for the role.In 1984, Charters was named the executive director of the Breeders Crown, a position he would hold for the next decade. His leadership and dedication would prove instrumental in shaping the event's early years and ensuring its long-term success.

Overcoming Challenges

The path to the first Breeders Crown race was not without its challenges. As the event's organizers were finalizing the plans, they faced a significant setback when the agency they had hired, Robert Landau Associates, went bankrupt just weeks before the inaugural race. This left the Hambletonian Society without the necessary funds to secure television coverage, a crucial element for the success of the event.In a remarkable display of commitment, the directors of the Hambletonian Society stepped up and pledged their own money to keep the Breeders Crown afloat. Fred Van Lennep, in particular, played a pivotal role, contributing a significant portion of the required funds. The United States Trotting Association (USTA) also provided additional financial support, demonstrating the industry's collective belief in the potential of the Breeders Crown.

Crafting the Iconic Logo

The Breeders Crown logo, which has remained unchanged for four decades, was the result of a collaborative effort between sports marketing executive Mike Letis and artist Barbara Rosenwach. Letis, along with his partner Mike Trager, had previously represented the Crown before Landau's agency went bankrupt.Rosenwach's design, featuring a horse based on a USTA photo of the legendary Niatross, the crown, and a unique typeface, has become an enduring symbol of the Breeders Crown. Charters recounts a decision made during the logo's development, where they opted to omit the apostrophe in "Breeders" for design purposes, a choice that, in hindsight, compromised the grammatical correctness of the logo.

Uniting the Breeders

The success of the Breeders Crown in its early years was also a testament to the support and collaboration of the industry's leading breeders. Figures like John Simpson of Hanover Shoe Farms, Fred Van Lennep, and Alan Leavitt of Lana Lobell, who were known to rarely see eye-to-eye, came together to support the event. Their collective efforts, facilitated by the tireless work of individuals like Andy Grant, were instrumental in securing the necessary funding and garnering widespread participation from the breeding community.The Breeders Crown's enduring legacy is a testament to the foresight, perseverance, and unwavering commitment of the individuals who brought this championship series to life. Through the challenges and triumphs, the Breeders Crown has evolved into a beloved and prestigious event that continues to captivate harness racing enthusiasts around the world.