The excitement is palpable as the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar approaches, promising two days of world-class horse racing that could very well reshape the sport’s landscape. With 207 pre-entries announced on Wednesday, October 22, the event is set for October 31 and November 1, and the anticipation is already building among fans, bettors, and industry insiders alike. The $34 million in purses, spread across 14 races, has attracted a global roster of equine stars, trainers, and jockeys, making this year’s edition one of the most competitive and internationally diverse in the 42-year history of the Breeders’ Cup.
The centerpiece, as always, is the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), a 1 1/4-mile showdown scheduled for 6:25 p.m. ET on November 1. This race, often the deciding factor in Horse of the Year honors, features a field so deep and talented that handicappers are already calling it one of the strongest ever assembled. Ten of the eleven pre-entries are seen as legitimate threats to take home the trophy—a testament to the quality and unpredictability on display.
Leading the charge is Sovereignty, the expected favorite and reigning champion of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Travers Stakes. His campaign has been nothing short of spectacular, and he arrives at Del Mar carrying the hopes of fans who have followed his meteoric rise. But he won’t have it easy. Among his chief rivals are Sierra Leone, last year’s Classic runner-up; Fierceness, winner of the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile; and Japan’s Forever Young, who has captured international attention with his consistent performances. Other top contenders include Journalism, who captured both the Preakness Stakes and Haskell Stakes; Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Antiquarian; Pennsylvania Derby victor Baeza; Stephen Foster Stakes winner Mindframe; Woodward Stakes champion Locked; and the wildcard, Contrary Thinking, who’s expected to be the longest shot in the field.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has a particularly strong hand, sending out four Classic pre-entries: Fierceness, Mindframe, Antiquarian, and Locked. His depth in the race is remarkable, and many believe his horses could play a pivotal role in shaping the race’s early pace and late drama. “The incredible group of horses pre-entered for this year’s Breeders’ Cup reflects the unmatched quality and global prestige of the World Championships,” said Drew Fleming, President & CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited, underscoring the event’s international appeal.
Indeed, this year’s Breeders’ Cup is a true global affair. Horses from five continents—Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America—are pre-entered, representing countries as far-flung as Argentina, Canada, Chile, England, Ireland, France, Japan, Peru, South Africa, the United States, and Uruguay. Fifty-eight horses have shipped in from abroad, adding an extra layer of intrigue and unpredictability to the proceedings.
Del Mar, hosting the Breeders’ Cup for the fourth time, is still basking in the glow of its record-setting 2024 edition, which saw global wagering reach a staggering $203.7 million. With the world’s attention once again focused on Southern California, expectations are high for another blockbuster weekend. The official gate draw, where post positions and morning-line odds will be revealed, is set for Monday, October 27—a moment that will surely shape betting strategies and fan debates alike.
Broadcast coverage is set to be extensive and accessible, with NBC Sports and USA Network providing over 10 hours of live racing, and NBC’s coverage simul-streamed on Peacock. International viewers won’t miss a beat, thanks to broadcasts on ITV4, Sky Sports Racing, and Racing TV in the UK; Virgin Media in Ireland; ESPN in Latin America; Green Channel, Abema TV, and Netkeiba in Japan; Sportsnet in Canada; SuperSport across Africa; and FanCode in India. This comprehensive coverage ensures that racing enthusiasts from every corner of the globe can follow the action as it unfolds.
The Breeders’ Cup’s opening day, Friday, October 31, is dedicated to the future stars of the sport, with five races for 2-year-olds. Saturday’s card features nine more championship races, culminating in the Classic. Each race boasts its own compelling storylines and international flavor. For example, the Juvenile Turf Sprint has 22 pre-entries, including Futurity Stakes winner Intricate Spirit and three hopefuls from Aidan O’Brien’s powerful stable. The Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile Fillies Turf are packed with rising talents, while the Filly & Mare Sprint, Turf Sprint, and Sprint have drawn a wide-open mix of proven champions and up-and-comers.
The Turf, a race long dominated by European runners, features defending champion Rebel’s Romance and formidable challengers like El Cordobes and Minnie Hauk, but the U.S. contingent, led by Gold Phoenix, is determined to make its mark. The Mile and Dirt Mile showcase a blend of classic winners and Breeders’ Cup veterans, including Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and last year’s Dirt Mile champ Full Serrano.
With so many races and so much talent on display, bettors are already poring over past performances, track records, and trainer statistics. The presence of automatic qualifiers and “Win and You’re In” series winners adds another layer of complexity to handicapping each race. Fans and punters alike are keenly aware that surprises are inevitable—after all, this is the Breeders’ Cup, where upsets and dramatic finishes are the norm rather than the exception.
Sixteen horses have been pre-entered in two races, further complicating the picture for handicappers. Owners and trainers will have to make final decisions as the gate draw approaches, weighing their horses’ strengths and the competition in each division. The stakes couldn’t be higher: sixteen past Classic winners have gone on to be voted Horse of the Year, and this year’s winner could very well add their name to that distinguished list.
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup winners returning for another shot at glory include Sierra Leone, Rebel’s Romance, Full Serrano, and Straight No Chaser, among others. Their presence adds a sense of continuity and rivalry, as they seek to defend their titles against a new wave of challengers.
As the countdown to October 31 and November 1 continues, the stage is set for a Breeders’ Cup that promises unforgettable moments, high drama, and perhaps a new Horse of the Year. With a truly international cast and a field loaded with champions, Del Mar is ready to host another chapter in the storied history of the World Championships. Racing fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action, whether they’re trackside or tuning in from halfway around the world.
