The horse racing world caps off an exciting year with the 41st edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in Del Mar, with exclusive coverage via NBC, USA Network, NBCSports.com and Peacock.
On November 1 and 2, 14 races will be held over two days at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, where this will be the first of two consecutive years that the track will host the prestigious event.
Due to the large number of international horses in the field, many consider the Breeders’ Cup to be the Olympic Games of horse racing. The most prestigious race of the weekend is the Breeders’ Cup Classic, where $7 million is up for grabs.
What are the Breeders’ Cup World Championships?
The Breeders Cup is horse racing‘s last big event of the season. Horses from around the world will compete in 14 races over two days, with the Breeders’ Cup Classic headlining the weekend.
The Breeders’ Cup originated in 1984 as an end-of-year championship for North American thoroughbred horses and their breeders. The brainchild of recent times John Gainesthe former owner of Gainesway Farm, the Breeders’ Cup was built by Thoroughbred breeders, for Thoroughbred breeders.
In 2007, the Breeders’ Cup was expanded from one day to two days. Now the first day of the weekend is called Future Stars Friday, with many of the most promising colts and fillies running across the sand and turf. The top finishers from these races typically make up the Road to the Kentucky Derby and can be the following year’s contenders for the Run for the Roses.
Championship Saturday will hand out more than $23 million in purse money across nine races, including the $7 million Classic.
Related: How to watch the 2024 World Breeders’ Cup Championships
When is the 2024 Breeders’ Cup?
The Breeders’ Cup runs from November 1-2. Friday’s coverage is from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET on USA Network. Saturday’s coverage begins at 2:00 PM ET on USA Network before moving to NBC and Peacock to 6:00 PM ET (when the Breeders’ Cup Classic ends) and ending on the USA Network until 8:00 PM ET.
Where is the 2024 Breeders’ Cup?
The Breeders’ Cup changes tracks every year, with Del Mar Racing hosting for the first of two consecutive years. Located in Del Mar, California, Del Mar Racing has been the site of a number of historic races, including Gun Runner winning the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic and Knicks Go’s historic 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic victory.
Here’s how to watch the Breeders’ Cup:
Friday
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Date: November 1, 2024
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Time: 4:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET
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TV Network: USA
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Streaming information: PeacockNBCSports.com, NBC Sports App
Saturday
US Network, Part 1
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Date: November 2, 2024
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Time: 2:00 PM ET to 3:00 PM ET
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TV Network: USA
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Streaming information: PeacockNBCSports.com, NBC Sports App
NBC
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Date: November 2, 2024
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Time: 3:30 PM ET to 6:00 PM ET
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TV Network: NBC
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Streaming information: PeacockNBCSports.com, NBC Sports App
US Network, Part 2
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Date: November 2, 2024
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Time: 6:00 PM ET to 8:00 PM ET
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TV Network: USA
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Streaming information: PeacockNBCSports.com, NBC Sports App
What is the full program of the Breeders’ Cup?
The Breeders’ Cup consists of 14 races, spread over two days, the first weekend of November.
Friday November 1 schedule
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Youth grass sprint (Post time: 5:45 PM ET) – $1 million wallet
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Youthful mares (Post time: 6:25 PM ET) – $2 million purse
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Juvenile mare grass (Post time: 7:05 PM ET) – $1 million wallet
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Youthful (Post time: 7:45 PM ET) – $2 million purse
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Youthful Grass (Post time: 8:25 PM ET) – $1 million wallet
Program Saturday November 2
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Dirty mile (Post time: 3:00 PM ET) – $1 million wallet
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Turf sprint (Post time: 3:41 PM ET) – $1 million wallet
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Distaff (Post time: 4:21 PM ET) – $2 million wallet
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Grass (Post time: 5:01 PM ET) – $5 million purse
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Classic (Post time: 5:41 PM ET) – $7 million purse
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Filly and Mare Turf (Post time: 6:25 PM ET) – $2 million purse
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Filly and mare sprint (Post time: 7:05 PM ET) – $1 million wallet
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Miles (Post time: 7:45 PM ET) – $2 million purse
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Sprint (Post time: 8:25 PM ET) – $2 million purse
Related: How do horses qualify for the Breeders’ Cup?
What is the Breeders’ Cup Classic?
The $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic is the main event of the weekend. The Classic is 1 1/4 miles long and has a field of up to 14 horses that must be at least 3 years old. Winners of the Breeders’ Cup Classic have often won Horse of the Year in the past, including: Flight line (2022) Knicks go (2021), Authentic (2020), Curly (2007) and Cigar (1995)
The last time the Breeders’ Cup was held in Del Mar, that of Brad Cox Knicks Go won the Breeders’ Cup Classic by 2 3/4 lengths, beating by Bob Baffert controversial colt Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first in the 2022 Kentucky Derby but was disqualified after a positive drug test.
Which horses should we keep an eye on in the Breeders’ Cup Classic?
Todd Pletcher’s intern Ferocity has had an up-and-down year, but many believe he has the potential to leave the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a win if he enters the race. The Breeders Cup Youth 2023 champion and three-year-old colt finished a disappointing 15th at the 2024 Kentucky Derby after entering as favorites. He continued to improve, winning the Jim Dandy Stakes at the end of July and Travers on August 24.
A few highly praised foreign horses may join him in the Classic. The first is Aidan O’Brien intern City of Troywho has achieved three consecutive Grade 1 victories in 2024. The second is Forever youngthird place in this year’s Kentucky Derby.
2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic post positions and odds
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Forever Young (JPN), 6-1
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Highland Falls, 20-1
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City of Troy, 5-2
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Mixto, 30-1
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Señor Buscandor, 30-1
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Derma Sotogake (JPN), 20-1
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Ushba Tesoro (JPN), 12-1
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Pyrenees, 30-1
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Savagery, 3-1
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Tapit Trice, 30-1
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Sierra Leone, 12-1
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Arthur’s ride, 15-1
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Newgate, 20-1
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Then 8-1
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on different devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
