The Breeders' Cup Classic returns with a $7 million purse, attracting elite thoroughbreds to Del Mar Racetrack for the 42nd Breeders' Cup Thoroughbred World Championships. The race, scheduled for November 1, 2025, features the sport's top older horses competing over 1 1/4 miles on dirt.
Last year's edition saw Japanese-trained Forever Young, ridden by Ryusei Sakai, capture the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. The victory marked a significant international triumph in North America's richest horse race.
This year's field is expected to include multiple Grade 1 winners and leading contenders from both North American and international circuits. The Classic traditionally draws champions from the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and other major prep races, creating a true championship showdown.
Del Mar Racetrack, located in Del Mar, California, hosts the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships. The venue's seaside setting and fast dirt surface have produced memorable finishes since the track first hosted the event in 2017.
