The Breeders’ Cup is the pinnacle event of the horse racing season, strongly anticipated worldwide. Below, we cover the renowned competition from every possible angle.
History and Origins of the Breeders’ Cup
Initiated by John Gaines, an American thoroughbred breeder, the inaugural race took place in 1984. The sold-out event featured the best runners and breeders and was globally broadcast.
Since then, the championship has grown in popularity, participation, and purse, keeping up with the most prestigious derbies. In 2007, it was scaled up to a two-day horse racing festival.
Overview of Breeders’ Cup Races
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships embrace 14 races, varying mainly in distance and prize fund.
Key Races and Distances
| 🏆Event | 📏Distance | 💰Purse |
| Distaff | 11/8 miles on dirt | ＄2 million |
| Turf | 11/2 miles on turf | ＄5 million |
| Classic | 11/4 miles on dirt | ＄7 million |
| Mile | 1 mile on turf | ＄2 million |
Qualification and Selection for the Breeders’ Cup
Based on qualification, 14 contenders are selected for each race, except for the Juvenile Turf Sprint and Turf Sprint, where the number of starters is limited to 12.
“Win and You’re In” Program
The “Win and You’re In” program allows winners of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series—the world’s major races held during the year—to enter the Championships automatically and free.
Qualifying Races and Criteria for Entry
Horses are granted entry to the series if they meet any of the following criteria:
- They win one of the qualifying races from the Challenge Series.
- They earn sufficient points by performing in graded stakes races.
- They are chosen by the decision of a panel of horse racing experts.
Notable Breeders’ Cup Champions
The Breeders’ Cup boasts a unique field of premier international runners, so the competition is incredibly tough, and the race’s winners etch their names in the annals of the sport’s history.
Legendary Champions
- Tiznow: the only two-time champion of the Classic running.
- American Pharoah: the Classic winner and the first Grand Slam victor.
- Zenyatta: the Distaff winner and the only mare to win the Classic.
- Beholder: a three-time winner of the Championships.
- Goldikova: a female champion who won the Mile thrice.
Recent Standout Winners and Performances
Three remarkable racehorses snatched two consecutive wins in 2022 and 2023: Elite Power in the Sprint, Cody’s Wish in the Dirt Mile, and Goodnight Olive in the Filly & Mare Sprint.
Impact of the Breeders’ Cup on the Racing Industry
The Breeders’ Cup has significantly impacted the horse racing industry in the US and beyond.
Influence on Horse Breeding and Sales
The event has provided a solid platform for national and international breeders, where they can display their finest mares and stallions of various ages and close sales safely and profitably.
Cultural and Economic Significance in Horse Racing
While promoting horse racing, the Breeders’ Cup festival has inevitably boosted the industry’s economy, raised hefty investments, and turned into a tremendous cultural happening.
Breeders’ Cup Locations and Venues
Location is one of the principal differences between the festival and other seminal events like the Triple Crown derby series. What is the Triple Crown? It’s three races, each held at its signature venue. The Breeders’ Cup takes place at a number of tracks.
Rotating Locations and Notable Tracks
Since 2008, four well-known tracks have been rotated to host the Championships.
- Santa Anita: 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2023.
- Churchill Downs: 2010, 2011, 2018.
- Keeneland: 2015, 2020, 2022.
- Del Mar: 2017, 2021, 2024, 2025.
Importance of the Venue for Atmosphere and Attendance
The venue’s capacity and surroundings are key factors affecting the attendance and overall festival atmosphere, so the organizers opt for spacious tracks located on picturesque sites.
Breeders’ Cup Records and Statistics
Besides its multiple venues, the festival is rich in record performances and historic moments.
Fastest Times and Most Wins by a Horse, Jockey, Trainer
| Most horse wins | Beholder (3) and Goldikova (3) |
| Most jockey wins | Mike Smith (27) |
| Most trainer wins | D. Wayne Lukas (20) |
| Fastest time | 1:59 at the Breeders’ Cup Classic |
Historical Upsets and Memorable Moments
- In 1987, Ferdinand beat Alysheba by a nose after a fierce head-to-head duel.
- Easy Goer’s perennial rival, Sunday Silence, finally defeated him at the 1989 Classic.
- Arcangues pulled out a win at the Classic in 1993 at unthinkable odds of 133.60-1.
- Zenyatta, a fan fave mare, won the Classic in 2009, upsetting formidable male rivals.
The Fan Experience at the Breeders’ Cup
Apart from the exciting competition, the festival has lots of crowd-pleasing treats for attendees.
On-Site Attractions and Fan Engagement
The Breeders’ Cup offers a top-notch visitor experience, including such engaging activities as:
- Horse racing betting;
- Autograph sessions;
- Touring the stables;
- Live music shows;
- Family fun games.
Fashion, Traditions, and Food at the Breeders’ Cup
In addition to the sport’s celebration, the race is a lifestyle and food festival with sophisticated outfits and stalls with delicious food. As a high-class event, it’s always attended by celebrities.
Breeders’ Cup Betting and Wagering Insights
Picking a horse to win, place, or show, that is, to come in first, second, or third, is the most popular bet type. But you can try other wagers, too, such as exacta, trifecta, and superfecta.
To increase your potential earnings, you can bet on multiple races at a time. However, to make a correct prediction, it’s vital to scrutinize the runners and heed reliable expert advice.
If you favor convenience and a wide choice of bet types, you can wager online. At a betting site, you can predict everything from the Breeders’ Cup to the Kentucky Derby results 24/7.
You can wager on any major horse event and win big here without traveling to the racetrack.
Breeders’ Cup 2024 and Future Prospects
After a two-year break, Del Mar hosted the 2024 edition of the world-class horse race on the first two November days. The Classic was won by Sierra Leone, the Kentucky Derby runner-up.
The year 2025 will see the 42nd Breeders’ Cup, which will also take place in Del Mar. According to the official announcement, the Championships will be held on October 31 and November 1.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Breeders’ Cup
How many races are in the Breeders’ Cup series?
The series comprises 14 Grade I races of varying distances and purses.
What makes the Breeders’ Cup different from other major races?
The Breeders’ Cup is the largest horse race with a vast international field. It has a three-way qualification system, lasts two days, and takes place in a number of rotating locations.
There are multiple winners compared to how many Triple Crown winners there can be. With no strict age limit, champions can repeat at the Breeders’ Cup, unlike the Triple Crown winners.