Lexington Farm & Real Estate Blog

There’s nothing quite like the Breeders’ Cup.

For two electric days each fall, the best of the best in horse racing, from Kentucky-bred champions to international powerhouses, gather to settle the score on the sport’s biggest stage. The energy, the pageantry, and the stakes all collide in one of the most prestigious events in the world of thoroughbred racing.

This year, the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will take place October 31 and November 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California, known affectionately as the track “where the turf meets the surf.” It’s a venue that perfectly captures the Breeders’ Cup spirit: glamorous, vibrant, and world-class.

The Breeders’ Cup is more than just a race meet. It’s a celebration of the sport’s global reach and a showcase for the strength of the Bluegrass, where so many of the world’s finest thoroughbreds are born, raised, and trained.

Take this chance to get prepared, the 2026 Breeders' Cup World Championships will take place at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, KY!

Event Overview

• Dates: Friday, October 31 – Saturday, November 1, 2025

• Location: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, California

• Races: 14 Grade I championship events over two days

• Purses: Combined total exceeding $33 million

• Broadcast: NBC Sports and Peacock (live coverage both days)

Since its debut in 1984, the Breeders’ Cup has served as the year’s grand finale for the thoroughbred racing season. An international showcase that crowns champions, shapes future stallion and broodmare careers, and delivers some of the sport’s most unforgettable finishes.

Why It Matters

Few events in the world of horse racing carry the same weight as the Breeders’ Cup. These races often decide Eclipse Awards, define legacies, and create the stories fans remember for decades.

• Global Prestige: Horses from a record 13 countries earn their way in through the “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, making it a true world championship.

• Massive Payouts: With multi-million-dollar purses, including $7 million for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the stakes are as high financially as they are competitively.

• Star Power: From Triple Crown winners like American Pharoah to international standouts like Enable (GB), the Breeders’ Cup consistently attracts the sport’s biggest names.

• Career Defining Moments: A single win can cement a horse’s place in history, or provide the perfect exclamation point to an already legendary career.

What to Watch

The Venue

Returning to Del Mar Thoroughbred Club brings a special charm to this year’s event. Known for its oceanfront setting just north of San Diego, Del Mar pairs coastal beauty with high-end hospitality and a lively, festival-like crowd. It’s where racing meets resort living — and where championship performances are made even more memorable by the surroundings.

The Races & Storylines

The two-day event features a lineup of 14 championship races, ranging from sprint showdowns to stamina-testing classics. Each race brings its own drama and storylines, but a few always stand out:

• The Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1): The $7 million centerpiece could potentially decide Horse of the Year and serves as the ultimate proving ground for the sport’s best. This year’s cast is quite possibly the best field ever assembled, with multiple Grade I winners, proven champions, and rising stars all converging for a showdown that could rival any in Breeders’ Cup history. The starting gate will feature the top 3 finishers from the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Sierra Leone, Fierceness, and Forever Young (JPN), as well as the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner, Sovereignty, and 2025 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, Journalism.

• International Turf Stars: Expect elite runners from Europe and Japan to clash with American turf specialists in high-stakes races like the Turf and Mile. Keep an eye out for these international standouts: Motorious (GB), Rebel's Romance (IRE), Minnie Hawk (IRE), 

• Emerging Young Talent: The Friday lineup, known as “Future Stars Friday,” showcases promising two-year-olds. A first look at the next generation of stars, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) will include possible 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders like Ted Noffey, Brant, Intrepido, and Blackout Time.

• Kentucky Connections: Many of the top contenders are bred, trained, or owned by connections from the Bluegrass, underscoring Kentucky’s central role in global racing success.

Find a full list of entries with betting odds here

The Experience

Beyond the track, Breeders’ Cup weekend is an event in itself, a blend of fashion, food, and racing culture. Del Mar and the surrounding San Diego area host gala events, concerts, and fan experiences leading up to the main races. Even for those watching from home, NBC Sports’ coverage captures the drama and elegance that make the Breeders’ Cup unlike any other sporting weekend.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships represents the pinnacle of the thoroughbred racing calendar. Where dreams, dynasties, and destinies collide. Whether you’re cheering from the grandstand or watching from your living room in Kentucky, this is a weekend that embodies everything special about the sport: world-class competition, breathtaking athleticism, and deep-rooted tradition.

Mark your calendar for October 31 – November 1, 2025 at Del Mar. The best horses on the planet will be ready to run, and history is waiting to be written.

 About the Author: 

Jordon Walker is a Realtor with Turf Town Properties in Lexington, Kentucky. Having grown up on a thoroughbred horse farm, he brings a deep appreciation for Central Kentucky’s land, homes, and community. Jordon combines local expertise with a genuine passion for helping clients find the right fit — whether it’s a downtown condo, a family home, or a country property with room to roam.

When he’s not working with clients, you’ll find him enjoying the outdoors, cheering on UK sports, or exploring new corners of the Bluegrass region.

Jordon Walker • 859-537-2994 • Jwalker@turftown.com