The Breeders Cup is an event that takes place every single year and is a series of thoroughbred horse races. For most of the history of the Breeders Cup the event was held over the course of a single day, but in 2007 the event was spread out over two days and has remained like that since. The event is operated by the Breeders Cup Limited Company which initially established in 1982.
The first Breeders Cup Event wasn’t held until 1984 which is a couple years after the company formed. The event is designed as a year end event to distinguish the best horses of the year. Horses from all over the world race in the series of races over the two days and there is a qualifying process, which means that not just any horse is allowed to enter the Breeders Cup. There are several systems in place when it comes to ranking horses for the Breeders Cup which includes the horse’s performance in Breeders Cup Challenge Races, point system and a ranking by a panel of judges. In 2007 there was also a rule change made which automatically allowed certain horses to qualify into the Breeders Cup for winning certain races throughout the year.
There are a total of 14 races over the two days of the Breeders Cup and there is only 14 horses allowed to compete in each race. The only race which doesn’t have 14 horses competing is the “Dirt Mile” which is a race with 12 horses only. The Breeders Cup only had 8 races for most of its history, but it started expanding in 2006 which is why there are now 14 races. Most of the Breeder Cup Races in 2009 will be Graded Stakes races although several of the newer races still don’t qualify for Graded Stakes status.
The Breeders Cup is easily the biggest paying sports day in North America and almost the world. There is one other horse racing series which takes place in India which pays out more money then the Breeders Cup. In 2009 alone the Breeders Cup will pay out over $25 million to horse owners. You can also only imagine how much money is wagered on the Breeders Cup. With there being 14 races over two days there are millions upon millions of dollars wagered on the event and lots of money is switching hands. Since only the best horses in the world qualify for the Breeders Cup it can be hard to predict a winner, but if you do then it pays off huge.
The 14 races that will be run in 2009 are as followed including how much the purse is for each race and the types of horses allowed entering the race.
• Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf – $1 Million
• Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – $1 Million
• Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies – $2 Million
• Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf – $2 Million
• Breeders Cup Ladies Classic – $2 Million
• Breeders Cup Marathon – $500K
• Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf – $1 Million
• Breeders Cup Dirt Mile – $1 Million
• Breeders Cup Turf Sprint – $1 Million
• Breeders Cup Juvenile – $2 Million
• Breeders Cup Sprint – $2 Million
• Breeders Cup Mile – $2 Million
• Breeders Cup Turf – $3 Million
• Breeders Cup Classic – $5 Million