The Breeders' Cup, often called the "World Championships" of Thoroughbred racing, was founded in 1984 by a group of North American breeders, led by John R. Gaines, to create a year-end championship showcasing the sport’s top horses. Inspired by the need to elevate Thoroughbred racing’s global profile, the event was designed to bring together the best horses, trainers, and jockeys for a series of high-stakes races.

The inaugural Breeders' Cup took place on November 10, 1984, at Hollywood Park in California, featuring seven races with purses totaling $10 million. It was a groundbreaking concept, offering unprecedented prize money and a single-event format to crown champions across different divisions, including turf, dirt, and juvenile races. The event drew immediate attention, with standout performances like Wild Again’s upset win in the Classic.

Initially rotating among U.S. tracks, the Breeders' Cup expanded over time, adding new races and growing its global reach. By the 1990s, it included international competitors, with horses from Europe, Japan, and elsewhere challenging North American stars. The event now features 14 races over two days, held annually at various tracks, with Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and Del Mar among frequent hosts. The Breeders' Cup Classic, with its $6 million purse, remains the marquee race, often deciding Horse of the Year honors.

Today, the Breeders' Cup is a global spectacle, broadcast worldwide and generating hundreds of millions in betting handle. It continues to evolve, with innovations like the "Win and You’re In" qualification system, ensuring the best horses compete. The 2025 edition is set for Del Mar, continuing its legacy as racing’s premier showcase.

The 42nd running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships returns to the picturesque Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California, on October 31 and November 1, 2025. This marks the fourth time Del Mar has hosted the event (previously in 2007, 2017, and 2024), with its tight turns and ocean-side vibe adding extra thrill to the 14 Championship races. Friday kicks off with Future Stars Friday, featuring five juvenile stakes, while Saturday showcases the marquee events, including the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at 5:41 p.m. ET. Expect a global field of top Thoroughbreds, with pre-entries closing October 20 and post positions drawn October 22—over $31 million in purses will be on the line, drawing elite trainers like Aidan O'Brien and Bob Baffert.

BET USING XPRESSBET OR 1/ST BET APPS

Both apps, powered by 1/ST Racing, make wagering seamless and legal in most U.S. states for those 18+ (21+ in some). They're user-friendly for Breeders' Cup action, offering live video streams, real-time odds, expert picks from pros like Eddie Olczyk and Jeff Siegel, and promotions like money-back guarantees on select Win bets (up to $10 if your horse finishes 2nd or 3rd).

Xpressbet App: Download from the App Store, sign up with promo code GET200 for a $200 bonus (earn $20 back for every $100 wagered in your first 60 days). Fund via credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer; place bets on Win/Place/Show, exotics (exactas, trifectas), or multis across all 14 races. Watch races live and join contests like the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge for up to $1.25 million in prizes.

1/ST BET App: Similar setup—grab it on iOS, register for the same GET200 bonus, and deposit easily. It shines with AI-powered projections and free wager guides for each race. Bet pre-race or live, track your wagers, and cash out winnings instantly. Both apps integrate with Del Mar's signals for zero-lag betting.

BETTING STRATEGIES THAT WORKED IN 2024

Last year's event at Del Mar (which generated a record $179 million in handle) rewarded smart plays on international invaders, surface biases, and exotics. Here are proven tactics from successful bettors and experts:

Favor Turf Invaders: Europeans and Japanese horses dominated the Turf races (8 of 9 winners in the last decade were international). Betting against U.S. favorites in the Turf (won by White Birch at 6-1) paid off big—key stat: fillies/mares hit 30% of recent Turfs despite low entries. Strategy: Box them in exactas with one local closer for $50+ returns.

Play Del Mar Bias: The track's speed-favoring dirt led to front-runners thriving in sprints (e.g., American Duchess wired the Filly & Mare Sprint at 9-2). Fade deep closers; target horses with early pace angles from recent West Coast preps like the Pacific Classic. Worked for Juvenile winners like Citizen Bull.