Breeders’ Cup Betting in 2025

The Breeders’ Cup is a two-day event that attracts many of the finest thoroughbreds from the United States and around the globe. The 2024 Breeders’ Cup paid out $34 million in purses and awards, making it one of the biggest weekends in horse racing. The marquee race, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, awarded a substantial $7 million purse.

You can bet on the entire roster of races each year by visiting online racebooks. This guide offers an in-depth look at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup schedule, contenders, its history and more. Keep reading to discover the best places to bet on the Breeders’ Cup.

Best Breeders’ Cup Betting Sites

Our experts have identified the top horse race betting sites for the Breeders’ Cup:

1. BookMaker – Best overall Breeders’ Cup betting site
2. Heritage Sports – Top mobile betting site for the Breeders’ Cup
3. Bovada – Best sign-up bonus for Breeders’ Cup betting
4. BetOnline – High win limits and an appealing rebate
5. BetAnySports – Pays out 10% extra on Breeders’ Cup track odds

What is the Breeders’ Cup?

The Breeders’ Cup is one of horse racing’s top events, drawing elite thoroughbreds from around the globe for two days of high-stakes racing. Since 1984, it has featured races across different distances, surfaces (like turf and dirt) and varying age groups. For horse racing fans, it’s a can’t-miss experience.

A total of $34 million was awarded in purses and awards during the 2024 Breeders’ Cup. The main attraction, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, saw a staggering $7 million purse distributed among the 2024 winners.

What is the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge?

The Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge attracts the leading horse racing betting talent worldwide. Whoever has the highest bankroll at the end of the two-day event takes the win.

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge had a total prize pool of $1.25 million. To participate, players put in $10,000, which included a $2,500 buy-in for the prize pool and $7,500 to use for betting.

All buy-ins went directly into the prize pool. With their $7,500 bankroll, players bet on win, place, show, exacta, trifecta and daily double pools across 22 races over two days.

Reviewing the Top Breeders’ Cup Betting Sites

1. BookMaker: Top Racebook for the Breeders’ Cup

BookMaker offers fixed-odds futures betting on the Breeders’ Cup a year in advance of the two-day event. As the race approaches, odds are constantly updated, keeping things fresh and exciting. Once the action kicks off, you’ll have plenty of betting options for each race to explore.

The horse racing section of the sports betting site is easy to use and provides a simple racebook for pari-mutuel wagering. Players betting on horses will earn a 3% rebate on all straight bets and an 8% rebate on exotic bets at Bookmaker.eu. The cashback rebate is applied to both winning and losing wagers.

2. Heritage Sports: Best Mobile Racebook for Breeders’ Cup Betting

At Heritage Sports, you’ll get full track odds on races from all the big tracks — and even some of the smaller ones across the United States. Your payouts are always based on the pari-mutuel dividends shown on the tote board during the Breeders’ Cup and, when you win, you can count on quick and secure withdrawals.

Whether you’re new or experienced at betting on horses, Heritage Sports makes each wager simple and accessible on mobile or desktop. You can bet up to $1,000 on win, place and show bets, with a maximum payout of $10,000 per race.

3. Bovada: Best Horse Racing Sign-Up Bonus

Bovada stands out with its larger payout limits, with a maximum of $50,000 across its racebook. This makes it a great option for bettors looking to score bigger wins during the event.

In addition, this online sports betting operator offers an attractive welcome bonus: 50% up to $250 for fiat deposits and 75% up to $750 on crypto deposits. Both bonuses can be used in the racebook. However, before you can withdraw your winnings, you’ll need to meet a 5x rollover requirement on either bonus.

4. BetOnline: High Limits & Rebates on Horse Racing

BetOnline lets you get in on the action early with fixed-odds betting for major races like the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Kentucky Derby, all through its full-service racebook. You can even win up to $100,000 on Breeders’ Cup races at BetOnline, giving it the highest limits of any sites we’ve reviewed.

Plus, you can snag a 4% rebate on basic win, place and show bets, while exotic bets, like exactas and trifectas, come with a 9% rebate. And if you sign up, you’ll get a $25 risk-free bet that you can use on any Breeders’ Cup race.

5. BetAnySports: 10% Odds Boost When You Win

With a reputation for great odds and reduced juice, BetAnySports offers an impressive package called Racebook +, which gives you the track odds plus an extra 10% profit boost on win bets and exotics.

If you prefer, you can also opt for their cashback racebook program, which provides up to 6% back on your daily bet volume — whether you win or lose. Plus, you can cash in big at this online sports betting operator as it has a maximum profit of $100,000 on Breeders’ Cup wagers, putting it right up there with BetOnline for the highest betting limits.

2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic Horses

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the biggest race that takes place at the two-day Breeders’ Cup event. Here’s a look at some of the top horses that ran in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, including this year’s winner, Sierra Leone:

• Sierra Leone (USA): Throughout his career, Sierra Leone showed early promise, finishing a close second in the 2023 Remsen Stakes as a 2-year-old. He also ran strong in the 2024 Triple Crown races, finishing second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Belmont Stakes. Trained by Chad Brown, this racehorse is the son of Grade 1-winning mare Heavenly Love. Sierra Leone claimed a stunning first-place victory in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• Fierceness (USA): A formidable competitor, Fierceness made waves early in his career by winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Park in 2023, including a record-breaking 13 1/2-length victory in the 2024 Grade 1 Florida Derby. Known for his explosive speed, Fierceness has a racing style that can adapt to both fast paces and more tactical races. Fierceness secured second place in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• Forever Young (Japan): This colt made history back in May 2024 by nearly becoming the first Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He’s also unbeaten in several of his other career starts, such as his victories in the UAE Derby and the Saudi Derby. Forever Young put up an impressive fight in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, finishing third behind Sierra Leone and Fierceness.

• Arthur’s Ride (USA): Arthur’s Ride is quickly establishing himself as one of the top dirt horses in North America. The highlight of his career came in August 2024 when he won the $1 million Whitney Stakes in an impressive time of 1:48.54, cruising to victory by over two lengths. This win secured his spot in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• City of Troy (Ireland): City of Troy has dominated longer-distance races in 2024 like the Betfred Derby — where he faced fierce competition from Auguste Rodin—along with the Coral-Eclipse Stakes and Juddmonte International Stakes. While his pedigree leans heavily toward turf, trainer Aidan O’Brien preps him on an all-weather track and he’s compared City of Troy to Giant’s Causeway, who nearly won the 2000 Classic.
• Highland Falls (USA): Sired by 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic champ Curlin, Highland Falls impressed with a decisive victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga back in September 2024. Guided by renowned trainer Brad Cox for the 2024 season, Highland Falls has consistently demonstrated strong performances, predominantly across dirt tracks.
• Ushba Tesoro (Japan): Ushba Tesoro shot to fame after winning the 2023 Dubai World Cup on dirt and he’s definitely one to keep an eye on in the future. He’s got the stamina and power to be a serious contender in any race, especially with his strong finishing kick.

In total, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic brought together a field of 14 talented horses. Alongside the top finishers,  seven other strong contenders included Newgate, Senor Buscador, Tapit Trice, Pyrenees, Mixto, Derma Sotogake and Next.

Reading Breeders’ Cup Betting Odds

Most odds you’ll see for the Breeders’ Cup start with a plus (+) or a minus (–). If they start with a plus, they tell you how much you would win from a $100 bet. For example, a $100 bet at +650 earns a $650 profit.

If the horse racing odds begin with a minus, they tell you the amount you need to bet to win $100. For example, a $150 bet at -150 pays a profit of $100. We offer betting calculators that can help you work out the payout on your pick.

Most bets (apart from futures) are calculated on a pari-mutuel basis according to the track odds. A dividend will be published for all the major markets after championship races. You just multiply your bet amount by the dividend to calculate your return. For example, if you bet $10 on a horse to win and it pays $4.30, you will receive a return of $43.

Popular Breeders’ Cup Betting Markets

Unlike the Preakness Stakes or Belmont Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup is a two-day event full of multiple races. That gives bettors even more opportunities to wager and win. Here are the most common markets for thoroughbred racing:

• Win: A straight bet on the winner of the race.
• Place: A bet on a horse to finish first or second
• Show A wager on a horse to finish first, second or third.
• Exactas: Exotic wagers which require you to predict the winner and the runner-up, in that exact order.
• Trifecta: This bet requires you to predict the winner, runner-up and third-place horse, in that order.
• Superfecta: Superfecta wagers require a prediction on the first four horses to finish the race.
• Pick 3/4/5/6: Pick the winner of three, four, five or six consecutive races. If you bet on four, this makes it a Pick 4, five makes a Pick 5, etc.

You can find these common bet types, among others, at most top online sportsbooks.

What is the Breeders’ Cup race schedule?

The 2024 Breeders’ Cup has concluded, showcasing thrilling competition over two days. Friday featured five undercard races, including the Juvenile Turf Sprint, Juvenile Fillies, Juvenile Fillies Turf, Juvenile and Juvenile Turf, setting the stage for an exciting weekend.

On Saturday, the event culminated with a full schedule of top-tier races, highlighted by the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic — the pinnacle of the competition. This year’s races brought memorable performances and impressive wins across each category. You can view the broadcast coverage schedule for this major event below.

Day One Races: Friday, November 1, 2024

• Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint: Post time 2:45 PM. The first event was a turf race that takes place over 5 furlongs. Horses, age 2, compete for a total of $1,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies: Post time 3:25 PM. This race spanned a distance of one and one-sixteenth of a mile. It was run by two-year-old fillies and the winner received a purse of $2,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf: Post time 4:05 PM. Two-year-old fillies ran this one-mile turf race to win $1,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Post time 4:45 PM. Similar to the juvenile turf race, two-year-old horses participated in this event. It took place on a dirt track over a distance of one and one-sixteenth of a mile. The purse was $2,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf: Post time 5:25 PM. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf featured two-year-old horses that ran one mile on turf. Winnings for this race were $1,000,000.

Day Two Races: Saturday, November 2, 2024

• Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint: Post time was at 12:00 PM. The filly and mare sprint is reserved for female horses that are at least three years old. This is a 7 furlong race on a dirt track and it carried a purse of $1,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint: Post time 12:41 PM. This race is for horses aged three and up and is run on a turf track. The distance for this race is 5 furlongs and the purse was $1,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Distaff: Post time 1:21 PM. The Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff is one and one-eighth of a mile and takes place on a dirt track. The purse for this race was $2,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Turf: Post time 2:01 PM. The Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf is a one-and-a-half-mile race which is ran on a turf track. Horses three years and older ran for the chance to win a $5,000,000 purse.
• Breeders’ Cup Classic: Post time 2:41 PM. Horses three years and older compete in this race, which spans 1 and a quarter miles on a dirt track. The purse for this feature race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was the highest of the weekend at $7,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf: Post time 3:25 PM. In this race, fillies and mares at least three years of age will run one-and-a-quarter-mile on turf. The total purse for this race was $2,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Sprint: Post time 4:05 PM. This is a dirt track race that covers a distance of 6 furlongs. Horses ages three and up can participate and the winner received a purse of $2,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Mile: Post time 4:45 PM. This is a one-mile race for horses over the age of three. It is run on a turf track and had a purse of $2,000,000.
• Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile: The race post time is 5:25 PM. This is a one-mile race run on a dirt track. The purse for this race was $1,000,000.

*All post times are listed in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

History of the Breeders’ Cup 

The Breeders’ Cup, first held in 1984, started as a single-day event showcasing the best of Grade I Thoroughbred horse racing. It expanded into a two-day festival in 2007. With nearly 40 years of history and over 360 champions crowned, it continues to captivate fans and racers alike, making it one of the sport’s most prestigious events. Below is the timeline for this classic horse race:

1982: The Breeders’ Cup Concept is Born

John Gaines introduced the idea of the Breeders’ Cup at a Kentucky Derby Festival luncheon. His goal was to create an esteemed series of horse races that would bring together the best of the sport and improve its image. This announcement marked the beginning of what would become a major annual event.

1984: The First Breeders’ Cup is Held

The first Breeders’ Cup was held at Hollywood Park, where over 64,000 spectators witnessed Chief’s Crown win the Juvenile and Wild Again take home the Classic after a thrilling race.

1996: The Breeders’ Cup Goes International

In 1996, the Breeders’ Cup was hosted outside of the U.S. for the first time at Woodbine Racetrack in Canada. This international move highlighted the event’s growing global appeal, attracting top horses and fans from beyond the United States.

2006: Breeders’ Cup Challenge Launches

In 2006, the “Breeders’ Cup Challenge” was introduced, offering a “Win and You’re In” qualification system. Winners of key races in this automatic qualifier would earn spots in corresponding Breeders’ Cup divisions, making it easier for top horses to secure entry into the prestigious races.

2007: Two-Day Event Expansion

After years as a single-day event, the Breeders’ Cup expanded to a two-day format in 2007. New races, like the Dirt Mile and Juvenile Turf, were introduced. That year, the Breeders’ Cup was held at Monmouth Park.

2008: The Breeders’ Cup Expands to Europe

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge extended its reach beyond North America to Europe in 2008. This expansion boosted international participation and interest in the Breeders’ Cup, making it a truly global event. The races were televised on both the BBC and TVG networks.

2009: First Female Horse, Zenyatta, Clinches A Historic Classic Win

Zenyatta made history in 2009 by becoming the first female horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Her powerful finish in front of a roaring crowd at Santa Anita Park in Southern California remains one of the event’s most memorable moments.

2015: American Pharoah Completes the Grand Slam

In 2015, American Pharoah completed the first-ever Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing, winning the Triple Crown and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His victory marked the end of a legendary career and solidified his place in racing history.

2021: Barbara Banke Becomes Chair

Barbara Banke, owner of Stonestreet Farms, became the first woman to serve as Chairman of the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors in 2021, marking a key moment in the leadership of the Breeders’ Cup.

Breeders’ Cup Betting FAQs