Tag: Breeders’ Cup World Championships

Santa Anita Park owns the record for largest Breeders' Cup crowd: more than 118,000 in 2016. The annual fall racing festival returns to Santa Anita for the 11th time in 2023. (Image: Benoit Photo)

Breeders’ Cup Returns to Santa Anita Park in 2023

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships announced Thursday it will bring the Breeders’ Cup back to Santa Anita Park for a record 11th time in 2023. That milestone for the Southern California track also signifies the 40th running of the Breeders’ Cup. The 2023 Breeders’ Cup will take place on Friday, […]

Before the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen program was announced, Obligatory (5) captured the first race of the new incentive-based program: the Derby City Distaff. (Image: Coady Photography)

Breeders’ Cup Digs In, Creates Dirt Dozen Incentive Program

Further trying to incentivize participation in its dirt races, the Breeders’ Cup announced a participation bonus for connections of dirt horses – the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen. The 12-race program encompasses existing graded stakes races scheduled from now through October at six US tracks. The Dirt Dozen awards bonuses for […]

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series offers 82 races in 11 countries. Each race presents the winner a spot in one of 14 races at the Nov. 4-5 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keenelland. (Image: Breeders' Cup)

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Brings New Twist to US Races

The Breeders’ Cup announced its 2022 list of Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series races, known as the “Win and You’re In” events. The premise is simple: win one of these 82 races in 11 countries and you have a starting spot in one of the 14 Breeders’ Cup races. That brings […]

A familiar sight: Pursuers vainly chasing Knicks Go. The 5-year-old beat sophomores Medina Spirit, Essential Quality and Hot Rod Charlie to win the $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday at Del Mar. (Image: AP Photo)

Breeders’ Cup Day 2: Land of Knicks Go, Rising Sun and Falling Favorites

Now that the Breeders’ Cup Classic performed its designated coronation, you can start engraving Knicks Go’s name on the Horse of the Year trophy now. Avoid the rush, which Knicks Go splendidly did at Del Mar Saturday evening. He broke out to his patented early lead and turned aside all […]

Trainer Aidan O'Brien's star colt St Mark's Basilica is 6-for-9 in his career. He's out indefinitely with an infected hind leg. (Image: Healy Racing)

Two of Star Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Prize Pupils are Out After Injuries

Two of standout Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s star runners, Santa Barbara and St Mark’s Basilica, are both out indefinitely after suffering injuries. Santa Barbara, who won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks and Grade 1 Beverly D at Arlington Park, won’t head to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf as […]

Santa Barbara won the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks in come-from-behind fashion Saturday. The Irish filly may be back for November's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar. (Image: Elsa Lorieul/Coglianese Photos)

Irish Invaders Santa Barbara, Bolshoi Ballet Plan Breeders’ Cup Return

Bolshoi Ballet and Santa Barbara came across the Atlantic from their Irish home, arrived at Belmont Park, won their respective Turf Triple Series races, and returned to Ireland on Sunday. But expect to see the Irish colt and filly back in November for the Breeders’ Cup. “That’s the plan for […]

Just like the last time Del Mar played host to the Breeders' Cup in 2017, the seaside track will open to 100% of capacity. (Image: Sean M. Haffey/Getty)

Saratoga, Breeders’ Cup Opening Gates to 100% of Capacity

Officials from both Saratoga Race Course and the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar announced Wednesday that their facilities will open to 100% capacity this year. The NYRA also announced the full reopening of Belmont Park, beginning June 24. The NYRA’s announcements came on the heels of New York Gov. Andrew […]

This year's Breeders' Cup World Championships return to Del Mar for the first time since 2017. There are 84 Challenge Series events offering berths in the 14 races. (Image: Getty)

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Offers Record Nine Spots for Classic

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships announced its 2021 Challenge Series race schedule, which features a record nine Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” races to the event’s flagship Breeders’ Cup Classic. The $6 million Classic is an All-Star race, capping the two-day, 14-race, $31 million Breeders’ Cup. This year’s Breeders’ […]

Improbable's romp to the Awesome AGain Stakes title last fall came in a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race. This year, the Awesome Again and its other 'Win and You're In' Breeders' Cup races will run Lasix-free. (Image: Benoit Photo)

Breeders’ Cup Bans Lasix for ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge Races

Following in the footsteps of the Triple Crown races, Breeders’ Cup World Championships officials announced Wednesday their Challenge Series races will run Lasix free. The Challenge Series races are the “Win and You’re In” races spread out over the world. Those events give all-expense-paid spots in the various Breeders’ Cup […]