BCWC sets a new milestone for global reach

The Irish-bred Rebel’s Romance will compete for the Breeders’ Cup Turf three-peat. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)

The contenders have a record number of 13 countries participating from October 31 to November. 1 Race Festival

Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereignty Headlines Blockbuster Renewal of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic

Release of the Breeders Cup

DEL MAR, California. – Candidates bred in a record number of 13 countries were entered for the 42 on Monday^i.e organization of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships from October 31 to November. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, underscoring the international festival’s status as the ultimate global stage for thoroughbred racing.

The 2025 World Championships will once again feature 14 Class 1 races and more than $34 million in prize money and prizes, bringing together the sport’s best horses, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys on racing’s biggest stage. Del Mar, “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, will host the Breeders’ Cup for the fourth time, following a record 2024 edition that set a new global wagering benchmark of $203.7 million.

Thirteen countries are represented (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Peru, South Africa, the United States and Uruguay) from five continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. There are 55 international contenders.

A total of 177 horses took part in the World Championships, including seven previous champions: Burger Taurusfierceness, Full Serrano (ARG)Rebel Romance (IRE), Sierra LeoneRight No Chaser, and White Abarrio. Fans can learn more about their favorite Breeders’ Cup runners, including official morning line odds, at BreedersCup.com/Horses/Entrieswhich provides comprehensive stats, race replays, news, photos and more.

Sovereignty leads blockbuster edition of Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic

Godolphin home bred Sovereignty has been declared the morning line favorite at odds of 6-5 as he competes against older horses for the first time in the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). A field of ten, including last year’s top three finishers, will advance in the big race of the World Championships.

Sovereignty is a three-time Grade 1 winner this year, with victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1). He will be trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and will be ridden from post 6 by Junior Alvarado.

Lining up for the son of Into Mischief are Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Forever Young (JPN), the 1-2-3 finishers of last year’s Classic in Del Mar.

Sierra Leone (8-1) is trying to join Tiznow (2000-2001) as the only repeat Classic winners. The son of Gun Runner is fed by trainer Chad Brown for Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Brook T. Smith and Peter M. Brant. Flavien Prat drives from post 7.

Ferocity (4-1) – a son of City of Light, bred by Repole Stable and raced by that entity, in partnership with Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier – is seeking a second championship victory to add to his 2023 tally in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) for trainer Todd Pletcher. John Velazquez has the mount from post 1.

Susumu Fujita’s $15.7 million earner Forever young (6-1), of Real Steel (JPN), will look to give Japan its third World Cup score and first Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic victory. He is trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden from post 5 by Ryusei Sakai.

Fill in the field in the order after the position is Baeza (post 2, 15-1), Nevada Beach (post 3, 20-1), Opposite thinking (post 4, 50-1), Mind frame (post 8, 10-1), Journalism (post 9, 10-1), and Antique dealer (post 10, 15-1).

Talent is present across the board at World Championships

The World Championships kick off on October 31 with Future Stars Friday, featuring five championship races for 2-year-olds, culminating in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Trainers Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher have combined to win the Juvenile nine times and will saddle the top morning line choices. Pletcher has Spendthrift Farm’s own breeding facility Ted Noffey (4-5), by Into Mischief, and Baffert will send out Zedan Racing Stables Inc.’s Brant (5-2), a son of Gun Runner.

On Saturday, the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic will be surrounded by blockbuster action. In the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), 5-2 second choice Romance of the Rebels will bid for a third win in the race for Godolphin, joining his 2022 victory at Keeneland and his win at Del Mar last year. Among the challengers to the son of Dubawi (IRE) is the brilliant three-year-old Frankel (GB) filly Minnie Hauk (IRE), 8-5 favorite, three-time Group 1 winner and narrow second favorite in the recent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).

Another son of Dubawi, Godolphin’s Notable speech (GB)is the 5-2 favorite for the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on the turf, a race in which he finished third favorite last year.

Gezora (FR)a daughter of Almanzor (FR) and winner of the Group 1 Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks), is the morning favorite at odds of 7-2 against a strong contingent for the $2 million Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1), including last year’s runner-up Cinderella’s Dream (GB) and five-time Grade 1 winner She Feels Pretty.

The Saturday program is complemented by the $2 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), led by Seismic beauty; the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), featuring last year’s 1-2 finishers in Straight up not a hunter And Welcome back; the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), led by defending champion Full Serrano (ARG) and 8-5 favorite Nysos; the $1 million PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), led by 2-1 favorite Sweet Aztecs; and the $1 million Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), led by the 2024 runner-up and 7-2 favorite Motor (GB).

Fans can watch the Breeders’ Cup competitors train in Del Mar as the days count down to the World Championships via Breakfast at the Breeders’ Cupwhich can be seen daily through October 30 on FanDuel TV and on the Breeders’ Cup digital and social channels from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT / 10am – 1pm ET. The hit show features contestants going through their final preparations, interviews with top connections and more.

NBC Sports will produce more than 10 hours of world-class race coverage during the World Championships, broadcast live on NBC and USA Network. All of NBC’s coverage will also be streamed simultaneously on Peacock, which will provide live, continuous coverage of all 14 Breeders’ Cup races. In addition to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Saturday’s 3.5-hour NBC broadcast (12:30-4:00 PM PT / 3:30-7:00 PM ET) will include four other championship races. FanDuel TV will also provide live, continuous coverage of every championship and undercard race via the Breeders’ Cup Players Showavailable on FanDuel TV, BreedersCup.comthe official Breeders’ Cup app, Breeders’ Cup YouTube, FacebookAnd X social channels, all major ADW platforms and simulcast channels around the world.

The 2025 World Championships will also be broadcast to more than 180 countries around the world, with live coverage 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, FanCode in India and more.

New this year, all royalties received from Breeders’ Cup merchandise will be donated to Breeders’ Cup Charities. Fans can also support “Champions Give Back,” a campaign aimed at raising funds and awareness for key industry nonprofits and the broader Thoroughbred racing community, by texting BCWC to +1 (855) 800-4975 to donate, or by visiting BreedersCup.com/Charities. A $50,000 match from international philanthropist and racehorse owner Ken Freirich will match the power of all donations received during the campaign, which runs from October 31 through November. 1 World Breeders’ Cup Championships in Del Mar.