The Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic this year features a compelling lineup, with international competitors making a significant impact in the pre-race markets
- Patricia Scott
- Oct 8, 2024
- 2 min read
Irish star City of Troy is the main focus, looking to transition his impressive turf performance to dirt. He will face strong competition from Japanese contenders, particularly Forever Young, who recently finished third in the Kentucky Derby. Home contender Fierceness, a triple Grade 1 winner, is coming off a victory in the DraftKings Travers Stakes. Sierra Leone, who narrowly missed winning the Kentucky Derby, will also aim for success at Del Mar. Other notable entries include Highland Falls, Subsanador, and Seize the Grey.
Historically, only two European horses have won the Classic: Arcangues in 1993 and Raven’s Pass in 2008. City of Troy, last year's champion juvenile in Britain, is a leading favorite after winning prestigious races like the Betfred Derby, Coral Eclipse, and Juddmonte International Stakes. He will make his dirt debut at Del Mar.
Forever Young, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, remains undefeated in Japan and has proven his abilities internationally with wins in both the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby. Despite some challenges, he is regarded as a horse with immense potential.
Breeders’ Cup Limited oversees the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the prestigious year-end event in Thoroughbred racing, along with the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In. This series offers automatic berths into the Championship races through an 82-race schedule held across 12 countries, as well as the U.S.-based Dirt Dozen Bonus Series. The Breeders’ Cup adheres to the national rules and regulations set by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and its Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU).
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will feature 14 Grade 1 Championship races over a two-day festival with purses and awards exceeding $34 million, taking place on November 1-2 at Del Mar, California. The 2025 Championships are also scheduled for Del Mar on October 31-November 1. NBC Sports will broadcast the event live, and press releases can be found on the Breeders’ Cup website, BreedersCup.com. Follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media for updates.
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