Breeders' Cup
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is a series of thoroughbred horse races that takes place over two days every year in late October and/or early November. The 2024 edition is set to happen on Friday and Saturday, November 1 and 2, at Del Mar Racetrack in sunny southern California.
History of the Breeders' Cup
The history of the Breeders' Cup dates back to 1982, when breeder John Gaines, of the famed Gainesway Farm, suggested that American Thoroughbred racing begin a championship day, and announced plans to launch such an event. The reaction was mixed, but enough horsemen saw promise in the idea that it was seen to fruition. Two years later, at Hollywood Park, the first Breeders' Cup World Championships happened. That 1984 event, which covered one day and featured seven different championship races, was a resounding success.
The inaugural Breeders’ Cup was held in 1984 at Hollywood Park in California and featured seven races with $10 million in total purses, capped off by the $3 million Classic. The very first Breeders’ Cup champion was Chief’s Crown, winner of the Juvenile, while 31-1 longshot Wild Again won the first Classic after a thrilling three-way stretch drive that included the much higher regarded Slew O’ Gold and Gate Dancer.
Over the years the Breeders’ Cup has travelled around the United States, having been held at various tracks including Belmont, Arlington, Gulfstream, Churchill Downs and others. In 1996 the races were moved out of the US for the first – and so far only – time, when Woodbine Racetrack in Canada played host.
As would be expected, some the best horses in racing history have made their mark at the Breeders’ Cup, while others have come out of nowhere to run the race of their lives and score historic upsets. The Irish-bred filly Goldikova leads all horses in wins, having won the Mile (racing against males) three times, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Of the 14 horses that have won two Breeders’ Cup races, Tiznow is the only one to capture the Classic twice, wining in 2000 and 2001. Another female, Zenyatta won the Distaff in 2008 and then came back the next year to beat the boys and win the Classic. In 1993, the French-bred Arcangues scored the biggest upset in Breeders’ Cup history, when he won the Classic at odds of 133-1, paying $269.20 for a $2 win ticket.
Since the first event in 1984, the Breeders’ Cup has continued to grow and now features a total of 14 races in sprints, at longer distances, on the dirt, and on the turf, with a total purse of over $30 million, including a $7 million purse for the Breeders' Cup Classic alone. The Breeders' Cup has been spread across two days since 2007, and since 2018 the two-year-old races have happened Friday, with the races for older horses happening Saturday.
2024 Breeders' Cup World Championships, Nov. 1-2
The 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar is fast approaching. City of Troy is the hot favorite before the race, but he has yet to try dirt, making more proven dirt horses like Fierceness, Forever Young, or even longer shots like Arthur's Ride or Senor Buscador appealing. The 1 1/4 mile race has a talented field assembled, making for an exciting championship event. With potential payouts on the line, bettors will want to closely assess the contenders before finalizing their wagers. It should be a thrilling race to cap off the Breeders' Cup weekend.
These are the odds at the top of the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic market:
2024 Breeders' Cup Race Types
You can track every type of race for the 2024 Breeders' Cup below. We have listed all the latest race types.
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf
- Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
- Breeders' Cup Distaff
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies
- Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
- Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint
- Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
- Breeders' Cup Sprint
- Breeders' Cup Mile
- Breeders' Cup Juvenile
- Breeders' Cup Turf
- Breeders' Cup Classic
These are the races being offered at the 2024 Breeders' Cup along with key information about them including their purses, distances, eligible ages, key prep races, and where you can watch all of these races on TV or streaming platforms.
| Race | Venue | Date | Inaugural Year | Distance | Surface | Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juvenile Turf Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 2018 | 5 furlongs | Turf | $1 million |
| Juvenile Fillies | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/16 miles | Dirt | $2 million |
| Juvenile Fillies Turf | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 2008 | 1 mile | Turf | $1 million |
| Juvenile | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/16 miles | Dirt | $2 million |
| Juvenile Turf | Del Mar | Nov 1, 2024 | 2007 | 1 mile | Turf | $1 million |
| Dirt Mile | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 2007 | 1 mile | Dirt | $2 million |
| Turf Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 2008 | 5 furlongs | Turf | $1 million |
| Distaff | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/8 miles | Dirt | $2 million |
| Turf | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/2 miles | Turf | $5 million |
| Classic | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 1/4 miles | Dirt | $7 million |
| Filly & Mare Turf | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1999 | 1 3/8 miles | Turf | $2 million |
| Filly & Mare Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 2007 | 7 furlongs | Dirt | $1 million |
| Mile | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 1 mile | Turf | $2 million |
| Sprint | Del Mar | Nov 2, 2024 | 1984 | 6 furlongs | Dirt | $2 million |
Wagering History of the Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup has always been one of the best wagering events of the year. This dates all the way back to the first Breeders' Cup in 1984, when Lashkari paid over $100 to win in the Breeders' Cup Turf. An event like the Breeders' Cup is always going to be an excellent betting opportunity: the huge purses and prestige means that the fields are big, and the quality of the fields means there are always one or more truly top-class horses who get ignored by the betting public. If you do your homework and find that horse, you could be in for a life-changing score.
These are key facts about the wagering history of the Breeders' Cup including average field sizes and average win prices for each race, as well as the top-paying horse in the history of each of the races.
| Race | Average Field | Average Win Price | Record Win Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | 11 | $23.09 | $269.20 (Arcangues, 1993) |
| Distaff | 9 | $18.95 | $113.80 (Spain, 2000) |
| Dirt Mile | 10 | $18.34 | $77.40 (Dakota Phone, 2010) |
| Filly & Mare Sprint | 11 | $22.34 | $135.40 (Bar of Gold, 2017) |
| Filly & Mare Turf | 12 | $20.34 | $94.00 (Shared Account, 2010) |
| Juvenile | 12 | $18.73 | $93.80 (Storm the Court, 2019) |
| Juvenile Fillies | 11 | $20.80 | $125.40 (Take Charge Brandi, 2014) |
| Juvenile Fillies Turf | 14 | $16.41 | $29.60 (Sharing, 2019) |
| Juvenile Turf | 13 | $17.60 | $62.40 (Fire at Will, 2020) |
| Juvenile Turf Sprint | 12 | $9.31 | $15.84 (Mischief Magic, 2022) |
| Mile | 13 | $23.65 | $148.40 (Order of Australia, 2020) |
| Sprint | 12 | $20.06 | $54.60 (Sheikh Albadou, 1991) |
| Turf | 12 | $19.53 | $106.80 (Lashkari, 1984) |
| Turf Sprint | 14 | $27.65 | $87.78 (Caravel, 2022) |
Breeders' Cup Frequently Asked Questions
These are answers to questions that people commonly have about betting the Breeders' Cup.
When and where is the Breeders' Cup?
The Breeders' Cup happens in late October or early November, moving to different tracks in North America each year. In 2024, the Breeders' Cup happens on November 1 and 2 at Del Mar Racetrack in southern California.
Can I bet the Breeders' Cup online?
It is safe, legal, and easy to bet the Breeders' Cup online, and you have many convenient options for doing so.
Where should I bet the Breeders' Cup online?
Let our experts show you the best sites for betting the Breeders' Cup online. Our racebook reviews show you the strengths of each racebook, so you can choose the one that offers the best stakes, bonuses, and features for the way you like to wager.
Why is it better to bet the Breeders' Cup online than at the track?
Betting the Breeders' Cup online is better than betting at the track for several reasons. For one, it is more convenient to bet the Breeders' Cup online than at a track or OTB, since you can bet on your phone, tablet, or computer from anywhere with an internet connection. Secondly, it is better to play online since you can lock in your price. At the track, you can only bet in the pari-mutuel pools, meaning your price will change until the race starts. If you bet online, you can bet fixed-odds on major races like the Breeders' Cup, meaning that you know what your price is and you are protected from late odds swings. You can also find bets that you'll never find at the track if you bet online, like prop bets.
What is the Breeders' Cup betting menu?
The base of the Breeders' Cup betting menu features many familiar wagers: win, place, or show; intra-race exotics like exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and Super High Fives; and multi-race bets like the Daily Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, or Pick 6. The Breeders' Cup also offers two-day Daily Doubles with races on Friday and Saturday, an all-turf Pick 3, an all-turf Pick 4, and an all-dirt Pick 4.
