Latest Updates & Information for Breeders Cup

The 40th Breeders' Cup World Championships held at Santa Anita Park was an extraordinary event that showcased the very best of Thoroughbred racing. Notably, White Abarrio's commanding triumph in the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Cody's Wish's dramatic victory in the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), and Ryan Moore's brilliant ride aboard Auguste Rodin (IRE) in the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) stole the spotlight and left spectators in awe.

In 2023, the Breeders' Cup made its record-breaking 11th return to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Against the picturesque backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, the world's top jockeys, trainers, and racing stables gathered on November 3-4 to compete over two days for championship honors in 14 Grade 1 races.

The excitement commenced with the "Future Stars Friday" program, featuring five races dedicated to 2-year-olds under clear skies. RP Racing's Big Evs (IRE) set the tone by claiming victory in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) over a distance of 5 furlongs. With a half-length lead over the fast-closing longshot Valiant Force, trainer Michael Appleby and jockey Tom Marquand celebrated their first-ever Breeders' Cup win.

In the $1 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) race covering 1 1/16 miles, Just F Y I, a homebred by George Krikorian and ridden by Junior Alvarado, skillfully held off a late challenge by Joy's Pride to secure a neck victory under the guidance of trainer Bill Mott. The subsequent race, the 1-mile, $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), witnessed a close finish as Hard to Justify, owned by Wise Racing LLC, battled against favorites Porta Fortuna and She Feels Pretty to claim victory by a half-length, with Flavien Prat as the winning jockey. Trainer Chad Brown celebrated his sixth triumph in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

However, the most dominant performance of the day came from Fierceness, a homebred by Repole Stable, who triumphed by an impressive 6 1/4 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile, $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) race under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher. Jockey John Velazquez secured his 20th Breeders' Cup victory with this remarkable win. Future Stars Friday concluded with Unquestionable (FR) securing a 1 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) race covering 1 1/16 miles. Owned by Al Shaqab Racing, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, the win marked the sixth time the trainer-jockey combination of Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore emerged victorious in this race.

In a thrilling race at Santa Anita, White Abarrio emerged as the champion of the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. With jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard and trained by Rick Dutrow, White Abarrio showcased its dominance, crossing the finish line with a 1-length lead over Derma Sotogake (JPN).

Covering a mile and a quarter in 2:02.57 on a fast main track, White Abarrio displayed incredible speed and stamina. It marked Dutrow's fourth Breeders' Cup victory and his second win in the Classic since triumphing with Saint Liam in 2005. Additionally, it was Ortiz's second win in the prestigious race and his 19th overall victory at the World Championships.

The race began with Arabian Knight blazing to the front and setting impressive fractions of :22.46, :45.73, and 1:10.28. Saudi Crown put up some resistance but eventually fell behind as White Abarrio steadily closed in.

As they turned for home, White Abarrio surged past Arabian Knight, establishing a comfortable lead over the chasing pack. Derma Sotogake mounted an impressive rally to secure second place by 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Proxy, who finished just ahead of Arabian Knight.

The rest of the field followed in this order: Ushba Tesoro (JPN), Bright Future, Senor Buscador, Dreamlike, Zandon, Saudi Crown, Clapton ,and Missed the Cut. This memorable victory solidifies White Abarrio's position as one of racing's true champions and cements its place in Breeders' Cup history as an exceptional talent deserving of admiration and respect.

White Abarrio, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred horse by Race Day out of the Into Mischief mare Catching Diamonds, had an incredible win that brought in a prize of $3,120,000. With this victory, White Abarrio's total earnings have now reached $4,946,350. This talented horse has an impressive record of 15 wins, 7 second-place finishes, 1 third-place finish, and has achieved three Grade 1 victories.