Breeders’ Cup World Championships
The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is the world’s richest and most prestigious series of Grade I thoroughbred horse races. The meeting has been run since 1984, and takes place at the conclusion of the Northern Hemisphere flat racing season. Every year the Breeders’ Cup attracts the most talented thoroughbreds from North America, England, Ireland and France.
The Breeders’ Cup does not have a permanent home, and is instead rotated around various North American racecourses. Churchill Downs in Kentucky, best known for hosting the Kentucky Derby, has hosted the Breeders’ Cup a total of six times. The 2007 Breeders’ Cup races were run at Monmouth Park, while Santa Anita will be the used for a second consecutive year as the host of the 2009 Breeders Cup.
2009 Breeders’ Cup Schedule
The 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at Santa Anita Park in California for the second year in a row, on Friday 6 November and Saturday 7 November. ESPN will be providing television coverage of the races.
Races due to be run on Friday 6 November:
Race name |
Distance |
Restrictions |
Purse |
| Sentient Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint | 7 furlongs | 3-year-old & up fillies/mares | $1 million |
| Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf | 1 mile | 2-year-olds | $1 million |
| Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies | 1/16 miles | 2-year-olds | $2 million |
| Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf | 1/4 miles | 3-year-olds & up | $2 million |
| Ladies Classic | 1/8 miles | 3-year-olds & up | $2 million |
On Friday, the first race will start at 3:35 PM
Races due to be run on Saturday 7 November:
Race name |
Distance |
Restrictions |
Purse |
| Breeders’ Cup Marathon | 1 1/2 miles | 3-year-olds & up | $500,000 |
| Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint | 6.5 Furlongs | 3-year-olds & up | $1 million |
| TVG Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile | 1 mile | 3-year-olds | $1 million |
| Breeders’ Cup Mile | 1 mile | 3-year-olds & up | $2 million |
| Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile | 1 1/16 miles | 2-year-olds | $2 million |
| Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf | 1 mile | 2-year-olds | $1 million |
| Sentient Breeders’ Cup Sprint | 6 Furlongs | 3-year-olds & up | $2 million |
| Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf | 1 1/2 miles | 3-year-olds & up | $3 million |
| Breeders’ Cup Classic | 1 1/4 miles | 3-year-olds & up | $5 million |
On Saturday, the first race will start at 3:35 PM