Lexington (United States) (AFP) – Keeneland, Santa Anita, and Del Mar race tracks will play host to the next three Breeders’ Cups, organizers of the biggest U.S. multi-day thoroughbred racing event announced on Tuesday.

Next year’s races will be staged at Keeneland on October 30-31, marking the first time that the iconic track in Lexington, Kentucky, will host the Breeders’ Cup in the event’s 30-year history.

Officials also announced that the 2016 Breeders’ Cup will be staged at Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, California, for the ninth time on November 4-5 of that year and the 2017 event will be conducted November 3-4 at Del Mar, another first-time host near San Diego.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup, with 13 races and a total of $26 million in prize money, will be staged October 31 and November 1 at Santa Anita.

But before the event returns to California, it will return to its Kentucky roots.

“As part of our strategic three-year host site plan we are very pleased to announce Keeneland,” Breeders’ Cup chairman Bill Farish said.

“We are excited to bring the Breeders’ Cup home to Lexington.”

AFP Photo / Harry How

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