Hosted at the stunning Del Mar racetrack in San Diego, California, the 2021 Breeders’ World Cup Championship festival goes under starter’s orders on Friday 5 November at 21.50 UK time. Live coverage of all 14 races across the two days is being broadcast by ITV and ITV4.
What’s it all about?
You might wonder why owners and trainers are prepared to cross the Atlantic for a single race, but the answer becomes clear when you see the prize purses, which vary from $1 million through to $6 million for the Breeder’s Cup Classic.
However, there’s more to this prestigious race meeting than money – it’s all about celebrating the very best of thoroughbred breeding and maintaining those all-important bloodlines for future generations of racehorses.
Only the best of the best
Over the two days of racing, there are a total of 14 races, each with a maximum of 14 runners. There is no standard entry for any of these races, horses must either qualify by winning a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, gaining points by being placed in other major races, or selected by a panel of experts. A process designed to ensure that only the very best horses will compete.
The UK and Irish contingent
Of the 196 total entries for the meeting, just 26 represent trainers from the UK and Ireland. Our best hopes are three Irish entries, two from Aiden O’Brien, Love in the Filly and Mare Turf (8.59pm) and Mother Earth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Dermot Weld’s 5 year old mare Tarnawa will be defending her title in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but has an unfavourable draw in stall 13, making it tough to get her placed for a tricky tight bend that comes up all too soon after the start.
Highlight races are on Saturday 6 November: the Breeders’ Cup Mile (10.20pm), the Breeders’ Cup Turf (11.40pm) and the big one, the Breeders’ Cup Classic (12.40am).
Betting is available from most UK bookies, with some offering best odds guaranteed in honour of the UK and Irish entries. Odds are variable, so it’s worth running a comparison if you fancy a punt, but 888sport currently seems favourable, topping the list with 11/8 on Tarnawa.
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