Skip to content
iGaming Ontario
GO TO bet365 Sports
  1. Horse Racing

Breeders’ Cup 2024: Date, Time, Location, How to Watch, Purse, Horses

The best and brightest in Thoroughbred racing are ready to descend on Del Mar (California) and compete for the sport’s most acclaimed distinction of Breeders’ Cup champion.

Beginning with five future stars matches on Friday, Nov. 1, and continuing with nine more marquee features, including the preeminent Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, Nov. 2, the Breeders’ Cup has been the pinnacle of international horse racing since its inaugural showing some 40 years ago.

Brought to life in 1984 by renowned businessman and horseman John Gaines, the special event soon evolved into a world-class celebration of the game’s top talents only comparable to that of the FIFA World Cup.

All 14 races on the docket for 2024’s iteration of Breeders’ Cup weekend are Grade 1 Championship tilts and boast a collective purse value of $34 million.

So, to help you saddle in for the momentous occasion, we’ve prepared a one-stop shop for everything Breeders’ Cup.

Jump to each section or continue reading below.

Race date & post time

How to watch

List of past winners

Location

Full event schedule

List of records

Purse Information

History of the race

Meet the 2024 field

Del Mar track guide

2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic date

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be run on Saturday, November 2.

2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic start time

Post time for the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic is 5:41 PM ET.

2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic location and venue

The 2024 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Classic will be held at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.

2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic purse

Featuring a purse of $7 million, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be the richest running in the event’s 40-year history.

The previous high of $6 million stood from 2016-2023.

The winner of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic will receive $3.64 million, with $1.19 million for the runner-up, $630,000 for third, $350,000 for fourth, and $210,000 for fifth.

It is the largest purse of any race run in North America.

How to watch the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, TV channel and streaming

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic will be broadcast live on NBC and is available for streaming through Peacock.

Television coverage begins at 3:30 PM ET.

Continuous coverage of all Breeders’ Cup World Championship races on Friday and Saturday will stream live on Peacock both days.

Full event schedule for the 2024 Breeders’ Cup

Of the 14 Breeders’ Cup events listed on Del Mar’s weekend double feature, five will run on “Future Stars Friday” and nine, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic, will headline the west coast track’s scintillating Saturday program.

Friday, November 1

Race 6 - Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint – 5:45 PM ET

  • Purse: $1 million

  • Distance: 5 furlongs

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 2

  • Surface: Turf

 Race 7 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies – 6:25 PM ET

  • Purse: $2 million

  • Distance: 1 1/16 miles

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 2

  • Surface: Dirt

Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – 7:05 PM ET

  • Purse: $1 million

  • Distance: 1 mile

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 2

  • Surface: Turf

Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – 7:45 PM ET

  • Purse: $2 million

  • Distance: 1 1/16 miles

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 2

  • Surface: Dirt

Race 10 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf – 8:25 PM ET

  •  Purse: $1 million

  • Distance: 1 mile

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 2

  • Surface: Turf

Saturday, November 2

Race 4 – Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – 3:00 PM ET

  • Purse: $1 million

  • Distance: 7 furlongs

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Dirt

Race 5 – Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – 3:41 PM ET

  • Purse: $1 million

  • Distance: 5 furlongs

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Turf

Race 6 – Breeders’ Cup Distaff – 4:21 PM ET

  •  Purse: $2 million

  • Distance: 1 1/8 miles

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Dirt

Race 7 – Breeders’ Cup Turf – 5:01 PM ET

  •  Purse: $5 million

  • Distance: 1 1/2 miles

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Turf

Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Classic – 5:41 PM ET

  • Purse: $7 million

  • Distance: 1 1/4 miles

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Dirt

Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf – 6:25 PM ET

  •  Purse: $2 million

  • Distance: 1 3/8 miles

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Turf

Race 10 – Breeders’ Cup Sprint – 7:05 PM ET

  • Purse: $2 million

  • Distance: 6 furlongs

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Dirt

Race 11 – Breeders’ Cup Mile – 7:45 PM ET

  • Purse: $2 million

  • Distance: 1 mile

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Turf

Race 12 – Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – 8:25 PM ET

  •  Purse: $1 million

  • Distance: 1 mile

  • Grade 1

  • Age: 3+

  • Surface: Dirt

Breeders’ Cup Classic history

First run on November 10, 1984, at the now defunct Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California, the race billed as one of, if not the most prestigious races on the international Thoroughbred racing calendar, started out with a bang.

Under Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day, 31-1 dart throw Wild Again claimed the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Classic in stunning fashion.

At the time, the $3 million purse made the Classic the world’s richest horse race. The first-ever Breeders’ Cup card contained seven races, which together combined for a total purse value of $10 million.

In 2007, the Breeders’ Cup World Championship expanded to a two-day event. With that, came the addition of the three new races (Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, Breeders’ Cup  Filly & Mare Sprint, and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf).

Two years later in 2009, legendary performer Zenyatta became the first female horse to capture the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The 2016 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee went on to record the highest earnings total of any horse in Breeders’ Cup history ($4,680,000).

Another all-time great competitor, American Pharoah, etched his name in the history books by becoming the first horse to earn Thoroughbred racing’s Grand Slam. The three-time Eclipse Award winner scored the United States Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont) along with the Breeder’s Cup Classic to complete the epic feat in 2015.

In more recent times, last year’s edition of the history-rich romp was won by multiple Grade 1 winner White Abarrio.

Open to male and female horses three-years old and older, Breeders’ Cup weekend’s crowning achievement is a 1 1/4-mile affair run on the dirt track. It is limited to 14 starters.

Delving into Del Mar – history, track specs, and more

Located 20 miles north of San Diego, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is “Where the Turf Meets the Surf.”

Alongside its iconic slogan, the picturesque racecourse has an emblematic origin story to match.

The 1-mile track was built by a partnership that included famous faces Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien, Jimmy Durante, Oliver Hardy, and prominent businessman Charles S. Howard.

When Del Mar opened its doors in 1937, Crosby hung around the entrance to personally greet fans.

One year later, on August 12, 1938, the track enhanced its celebrity status even further with the help of horse racing’s most revered runner, Seabiscuit.

That day, Del Mar held a $25,000 winner-take-all match between Howard’s Seabiscuit and Binglin Stable’s Ligaroti. The exhilarating tilt, which generated significant national media attention at the time, ultimately went to Seabiscuit by a nose.

Despite a brief two-year closure (1942-944) during World War II, Del Mar persevered and continued to serve as a premier destination for high-quality racing.

That remains the case today, as the west coast course with the walk to match its talk is set to take centre stage and unite international Thoroughbred racing’s finest for the third time in its 87-year existence.

Del Mar previously hosted the Breeders’ Cup in 2021 and 2017.

Breeders’ Cup Classic past winners (horse, jockey, trainer)

2023: White Abarrio – Irad Ortiz Jr. – Richard E. Dutrow Jr.

2022: Flightline – Flavien Prat – John W. Sadler

2021: Knicks Go – Joel Rosario – Brad H. Cox

2020: Authentic – John R. Velazquez – Bob Baffert

2019: Vino Rosso – Irad Ortiz Jr. – Todd A. Pletcher

2018: Accelerate – Joel Rosario – John W. Sadler

2017: Gun Runner – Florent Geroux – Steven M. Asmussen 

2016: Arrogate – Mike E. Smith – Bob Baffert

2015: American Pharoah – Victor Espinoza – Bob Baffert

2014: Bayern – Martin Garcia – Bob Baffert

2013: Mucho Macho Man – Gary Stevens – Katherine Ritvo

2012: Fort Larned – Brian Hernandez, Jr. – Ian Wilkes

2011: Drosselmeyer – Mike E. Smith – William Mott

2010: Blame – Garrett Gomez – Albert Stall Jr.

2009: Zenyatta – Mike E. Smith – John Shirreffs

2008: Raven’s Pass – Lanfranco Dettori – John Gosden

2007: Curlin – Robby Albarado – Steven M. Asmussen

2006: Invasor (ARG) – Fernando Jara – Kiaran McLaughlin

2005: Saint Liam – Jerry Bailey – Richard E. Dutrow Jr.

2004: Ghostzapper – Javier Castellano – Robert J. Frankel

2003: Pleasantly Perfect – Alex Solis – Richard Mandella

2002: Volponi – José A. Santos – Philip G. Johnson

2001: Tiznow – Chris McCarron – Jay M. Robbins

2000: Tiznow – Chris McCarron – Jay M. Robbins

1999: Cat Thief – Pat Day – D. Wayne Lukas

1998: Awesome Again – Pat Day – Patrick B. Byrne

1997: Skip Away – Mike E. Smith – Sonny Hine

1996: Alphabet Soup – Chris McCarron – David Hofmans

1995: Cigar – Jerry Bailey – William Mott

1994: Concern – Jerry Bailey – Richard W. Small

1993: Arcangues – Jerry Bailey – André Fabre

1992: A.P. Indy – Ed Delahoussaye – Neil Drysdale

1991: Black Tie Affair (IRE) – Jerry Bailey – Ernie T. Poulos

1990: Unbridled – Pat Day – Carl Nafzger

1989: Sunday Silence – Chris McCarron – Charlie Whittingham

1988: Alysheba – Chris McCarron – Jack Van Berg

1987: Ferdinand – Bill Shoemaker – Charlie Whittingham

1986: Skywalker – Laffit Pincay Jr. – Michael Whittingham

1985: Proud Truth – Jorge Velásquez – John M. Veitch

1984: Wild Again – Pat Day – Vincent Timphony

Breeders’ Cup Classic records

Most wins: 2 – Tiznow (2000, 2001)

Largest margin of victory: 8 1/4 lengths – Flightline (2022)

Most wins by a jockey: 5 – Chris McCarron (1988, 1989, 1996, 2000, 2001); Jerry Bailey (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2005)

Most wins by a trainer: 4 – Bob Baffert (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020)

Breeders’ Cup records

Most wins by a jockey: 27 – Mike Smith

Most wins by a trainer: 20 – D. Wayne Lukas

Highest Earnings total (owner): $17,135,820 – Juddmonte Farms

Highest Earnings total (horse): $4,680,000 – Zenyatta

Meet the field for the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Post 1 – Forever Young (JPN) (6-1)

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

Status – On the shortlist: Don’t let a slow start in the Kentucky Derby fool you (third place), Forever Young is a legitimate threat to take the Classic.

Post 2 – Highland Falls (20-1)

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Luis Saez

Status – Up against it: An impressive 4-length Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) win earned Highland Falls a Classic berth, but the colt will need much more to have a title shot.

Post 3 – City of Troy (5-2)

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Status – Clubhouse leader: Winner of six of seven lifetime starts, City of Troy has made serious noise on the UK circuit in 2024. Has the makings of a BC champion.

Post 4 – Mixto (30-1)

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Jockey: Kyle Frey

Status – Dart throw: After taking the Pacific Classic at 22-1 for his second career win, Mixto is on the outside looking in here.

Post 5 – Senor Buscador (30-1)

Trainer: Todd Fincher

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Status – Savvy veteran: There hasn’t been much to report as of late, but Senor Buscador has performed admirably against elite competition before (second in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup and Saudi Cup champion).

Post 6 – Derma Sotogake (JPN) (20-1)

Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

Status – Steep hill to climb: Last year’s Classic runner-up, Derma Sotogake has endured a tough 2024 campaign (0-for-3). Will need a perfect trip this time around.

Post 7 – Ushba Tesoro (JPN) (12-1)

Trainer: Noboru Takagi

Jockey: Yuga Kawada

Status – Not to be overlooked: Possessing an intriguing blend of experience (35 starts) and results (11-4-5 with over $16 million banked), Ushba Tesoro returns to the Classic after finishing fifth in last year’s running.

Post 8 – Pyrenees (30-1)

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.

Status – Late bloomer: After a quiet rookie season, Pyrenees captured four of his next six starts (10: 4-3-1 overall). The colt enters on the upswing, recording consecutive seconds in the Stephen Foster (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).

Post 9 – Fierceness (3-1)

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Status – Serious contender: Fierceness’ (8: 5-0-1) star is on the rise. The three-time Grade 1 winner appears poised to outdo his previous BC appearance, which saw him claim last year’s BC Juvenile.

Post 10 – Tapit Trice (30-1)

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Status – Potential value: If Tapit Trice isn’t victorious, he’s usually within range (12: 6-0-3 lifetime). While no doubt facing his stiffest test to date, the colt makes for an intriguing flier with Ortiz Jr. calling the shots.

Post 11 – Sierra Leone (12-1)

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Status – Streaky play: It’s been a tale of two careers for Sierra Leone, who won three of his first four starts before dropping the next four (8: 3-2-2). Who knows which horse will show up on Saturday?

Post 12 – Arthur’s Ride (15-1)

Trainer: William Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Status – Pace maker: Known for his penchant to jump out to the front, look for Whitney (G1) winner Arthur’s Ride to snag the lead early.

Post 13 – Newgate (20-1)

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori

Status – Possible upside: Conditioned by the Classic’s all-time winningest trainer Bob Baffert, Newgate returned home for the California Crown (G1), finishing third after a ninth in March’s Dubai Cup.

Post 14 – Next (8-1)

Trainer: William D. Cowans

Jockey: Luan Machado

Status – Newbie: Also entered in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Next will be making just his second-ever start at the Grade 1 level after compiling a lifetime 23: 13-0-1 line.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Woodbine Entertainment Group. Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.

Related Articles

bet365 uses cookies

We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy

CHOOSE YOUR OFFER
FIRST BET
SAFETY NET
$
1000
 
in Bonus Bets
OR
BET $10
GET
$
50
 
in Bonus Bets
Join Now
Deposit required (min $10). Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. View Full Terms and Conditions.