Breeders’ Cup Classic

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ - OCTOBER 26: Robby Albarado crosses the finish line aboard Curlin on his way to winning the Breeders' Cup Classic October 27, 2007 during the Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the feature race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Run over 1¼ miles on dirt or synthetic dirt tracks, this Grade 1 race is open to thoroughbreds of three years and up.

A win in the Classic is a defining moment in the life of any thoroughbred, trainer or breeder and the race attracts a collection of the finest thoroughbred racehorses in the world. It is not unusual for an American-bred Breeders Cup Classic winner to be nominated the US Horse of the Year.

During its history the Breeders Cup Classic has produced some dramatic upsets. In 1993, Arcangues set the Breeders’ Cup record for a payout by winning the race at odds of 133-1, resulting in a $269.20 payoff for a $2 wager in the betting pools.

A purse of $5 million will be paid out to the winner of the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic - making it one of the richest races of the year. The Classic will be run as the last race at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, 7 November.

Breeders’ Cup Classic Winners

Year

Winner (Margin)

Time

Jockey

Trainer

2008 Raven’s Pass 1:59.27 Frankie Dettori John Gosden
2007 Curlin 2:00.59 R. Albarado Steve Asmussen
2006 Invasor (ARG) 2:02.18 Fernando Jara Kiaran McLaughlin
2005 Saint Liam 2:01.49 J. Bailey R. Dutrow Jr
2004 Ghostzapper 1:59.02 J. Castellano R. Frankel
2003 Pleasantly Perfect (1 1/2) 1:594/5 Alex Solis Richard Mandella
2002 Volponi (6 ½) 2:012/5 Jose Santos Philip Johnson
2001 Tiznow (ns) 2:003/5 Chris McCarron Jay Robbins
2000 Tiznow (nk) 2:003/5 Chris McCarron Jay Robbins
1999 Cat Thief (1 ¼) 1:592/5 Pat Day D. Wayne Lukas
1998 Awesome Again (3/4) 2:02:00 Pat Day Patrick Byrne
1997 Skip Away (6) 1:591/5 Mike Smith Hubert Hine
1996 Alphabet Soup (ns) 2:01:00 Chris McCarron David Hofmans
1995 Cigar (21/2) 1:592/5 Jerry Bailey Bill Mott
1994 Concern (nk) 2:022/5 Jerry Bailey Richard Small
1993 Arcangues (2) 2:004/5 Jerry Bailey Andre Fabre
1992 A.P. Indy (2) 2:001/5 Eddie Delahoussaye Neil Drysdale
1991 Black Tie Affair (1 1/4) 2:024/5 Jerry Bailey Ernie Poulos
1990 Unbridled (1) 2:021/5 Pat Day Carl Nafzger
1989 Sunday Silence (1/2) 2:001/5 Chris McCarron C. Whittingham
1988 Alysheba (ns) 2:044/5 Chris McCarron Jack Van Berg
1987 Ferdinand (ns) 2:012/5 Bill Shoemaker C. Whittingham
1986 Skywalker (1 ¼) 2:002/5 Laffit Pincay Jr. M. Whittingham
1985 Proud Truth (hd) 2:004/5 Jorge Velasquez John Veitch
1984 Wild Again (hd) 2:032/5 Pat Day Vincent Timphony

2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic

The 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic went to a European thoroughbred, as John Gosden’s Raven’s Pass was piloted to victory by Frankie Dettori. Aidan O’Brien’s classics hero, Henrythenavigator, finished the race in second place, while Tiago took third place. Antepost favourite, and defending champion, Curlin disappointed his backers by coming home in fourth place.