The Breeders’ Cup World Championships represent the pinnacle of international horse racing, a glittering two-day spectacle that draws the finest thoroughbreds, trainers, and jockeys from across the globe to determine annual champions. Dubbed the “Olympics of horse racing,” this event, held at the close of the racing season, originated in 1984 from the vision of John Gaines and has since exploded into a 14-race extravaganza where prestige is matched only by the staggering prize money on offer.

The 42nd edition at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California is no exception, with a total purse distribution of over $30 million creating a dramatic backdrop for athletic excellence and intense international competition. The culture of the Breeders’ Cup is one of pure, unadulterated quality, where historic rivalries are settled, and legends are cemented in the record books, all while competing for some of the most lucrative prizes in the sport.

Breeder’s Cup featuring the sport’s future stars

The financial structure of the Breeders’ Cup is a testament to its status as racing’s true world championship, with a total prize pool reported to be over $30 million across the two days. The event kicks off with Future Stars Friday, a day dedicated to the next generation of racing talent, where five juvenile races offer a combined $7 million in purses and often shape the early landscape for the following year’s Kentucky Derby.

The day features the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, each offering a winner’s share of $1,040,000, alongside the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, and the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, where the victors earn $520,000.

These races are not just about the immediate financial windfall; they are crucial investments in the future of the sport, providing a platform for two-year-olds to announce their arrival on the world stage.

Then it’s all about the ones in the big leagues

Championship Saturday elevates the excitement and the financial stakes even further. The day is a thrilling mix of speed and endurance on both dirt and turf, culminating in the event’s crown jewel. Races like the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint, the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile each offer a winner’s prize of $1,040,000, showcasing the world’s best at various distances. The $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint and the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint also provide a $520,000 top prize for their champions.

The turf specialists compete for some of the largest pots outside of the Classic, with the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf offering a monumental $2,600,000 to the winner, and the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf awarding $1,040,000 to its victor. However, the most prestigious and valuable race of the entire weekend, and indeed one of the richest in the world, is the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

With a monumental purse of $7 million, the Classic offers a life-changing $3,640,000 to the winning connections. Run at a classic distance of 1 1/4 miles on the dirt, this race frequently decides the coveted Horse of the Year honor.

This year’s edition, even with the unfortunate scratch of Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, promises a dramatic showdown, featuring a star-studded field including defending champion Sierra Leone, his perennial rival Fierceness, and the Japanese contender Forever Young, all competing for a share of the massive prize and a permanent place in racing history. However, what really happened with Sovereignty?

Very unlucky for the best 3-year-old out there

Trainer Bill Mott confirmed his horse’s condition to be unable to run in the $7 million race, stating, “He spiked another fever even though he’d had some medication in him from 6 o’clock that morning. He re-spiked another fever, and we re-treated him, and of course, now he’s on antibiotics. Seems to be doing well this morning; his temp’s down to just one tick above normal, and he looks bright and looks pretty good. But he’s definitely out of the Breeders’ Cup; I mean, there’s no, you know, he’ll be scratched.”

Furthermore, the trainer has garnered nothing but respect from the entire racing community by deciding not to push the horse forcefully into the race and allowing him to rest. Even billionaire and Fierceness co-owner Mike Repole said, “My deepest sympathies to Sovereignty, Bill Mott, and everyone connected to this incredible athlete. What most fans never see is the stress, the sleepless nights, and the tireless work that trainers, veterinarians, grooms, and every person in the barn put in to prepare these horses for the biggest moments. It’s overwhelming… and when something like this happens, it’s absolutely gut-wrenching.”

He continued, “Unfortunately, I’ve been on this side, and it sucks. As competitors, we live for the chance to race against the great ones — and Sovereignty is one of the greats. Today, I’m thinking of Bill, his entire team, and everyone who loves this horse.”

So, as the 2025 edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships unfolds at Del Mar, the pursuit of glory and a share of the over $30 million prize pool will once again crown new champions and define the sport’s hierarchy for the year to come.