Here Are the Finalists for the Breeders’ Cup T-shirt Design Contest

Joseph Myers

Early last month, we suspected that the organizers of the Breeders’ Cup T-shirt design contest would receive ample applications, and 93 entrants made us look like contemporary versions of Nostradamus. Now that the submission period has closed, officials have narrowed their pool to five finalists, with one lucky individual set to play an interesting part in horse racing’s history.

Held annually in either late October or early November, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships have come to serve as the culmination of a crowded calendar for the thoroughbred world. So it stood to reason that the T-shirt handiwork would be pretty impressive, especially since proceeds are helping industry figures whose lives have taken a downturn because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Breeders’ Cup website explains, the contest is another element of the organizers’ aims to foster positivity during a confusing time period, so one would expect for the final contenders to have put together vibrant designs. Visiting the voting webpage, we saw that those who favor such works have plenty to whinny about.

Thus far, the leading vote-getter is an offering by an Alexa Z. that features horses making their way around the track, possibly even entering the homestretch. For those who have taken a liking to the we’re-all-in-this-together vibe that companies have been promoting in the face of the pandemic, the second-place submission by Amanda C. features that sentiment and serves as a chromatic standout.

No matter one’s preference, voters have through Sunday to vote, with the winning submitter receiving two VIP tickets to this November’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the honor of having his or her creation sold in the official Breeders’ Cup merch shop. While winning will certainly make someone’s day, there is nothing wrong with (to borrow racing terms) placing or showing or even having made the finals, as the contest has joined other sporting endeavors in helping struggling communities.

Check out all the finalists here.

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