Guide to the 2019 Breeders Cup

Breeders Cup

Friday will see the start of the 36th Breeders Cup since it originated in 1984.

The two days of mouthwatering action will take place at Santa Anita, with the track hosting the event for the 10th time.

Horses from countries such as Japan, England and Ireland will ascend on the Californian track for a place in the history books.

We've got all of the information on what promises to be cracking few days of racing.

What's it all about?

The two day meeting will see horses from all around the world do battle for almost £30,000,000 in prize money across the 14 races.

The event is often ran at a different track across North America and this year see's a return to Santa Anita Park, who host the famous event for a 10th time.

The event began in 1984, initially as a one day fixture however added a day on in 2007 and has remained the same since.

A new structure that was introduced last year means Friday sees the juveniles take centre stage, named 'Future Stars Friday' with races such as the Juvenile Turf.

Races take place on both turf and dirt tracks as new champions are crowned.

Saturday's card sees a mammoth nine races and sees older horses come out, with the highlight being the Breeders Cup Turf, which last year saw Enable see off Magical in a memorable race.

When are the races?

As mentioned, the action kicks off on Friday and it's all about the two year olds.

There are just the five races however and it gets underway at 20:12 British time with the Sprint and the action doesn't end until past 23:00 on Friday night.

Saturday sees a blockbuster card, with nine races, with the slightly earlier start time of 18:55 and the action doesn't end until almost 1 am with the Breeders Cup Dirt Classic.

A full schedule of all the race times can be found below:

Friday:

20.12 - Juvenile Turf Sprint (5 furlongs)

20.52 - Juvenile Turf (1 mile)

21.32 - Juvenile Fillies Dirt (1 mile)

22.12 - Juvenile Fillies Turf (1 mile)

23.03 - TVG Juvenile Dirt (1 mile)

Saturday:

18.55 - Filly & Mare Sprint Dirt (7 furlongs)

19.33 - Turf Sprint (5 furlongs)

20.10 - Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (1 mile)

20.54 - Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (1 mile, 2 furlongs)

21.36 - Sprint Dirt (6 furlongs)

22.20 - TVG Turf Mile (1 mile)

23.00 - Longines Distaff dirt (1 mile, 1 furlong)

23.40 - Longines Turf (1 mile, 4 furlongs)

00.44 - Dirt Classic (1 mile, 2 furlongs)

Which stars will be on show?

Many stars from all over the world will be in action across the two days but there are some familiar names we can't wait to see.

Friday sees Wesley Ward's exciting filly Kimari attempt to win the Juvenile Sprint. She was second at Royal Ascot behind Raffle Prize before an extremely impressive win in the US last time.

The Juvenile superstars don't stop there, Coventry winner Arizona lines up for Aidan O'Brien in the mile race, he was a very respectable second to Pinatubo in the Dewhurst and should enjoy the mile trip on quicker ground.

The level rises on Saturday, where Richard Mandella's Omaha Beach is all the range in the dirt mile and is many people's idea of banker of the week.

More closer to home, Aidan O'Brien may not have Magical to depend on but will have Fleeting to give him glory in the Filly and Mares turf.

She has been rather unlucky on many occasions this year and could have her day in the sun but in her way stands Grade One winner Sistercharlie.

aidan o'brien

O'Brien will also attempt for more Grade One glory in the mile race, Circus Maximus goes for his third success at the highest level but faces stiff competition.

The highlight of the week, the Breeders Cup turf sees Ballydoyle again going for glory in the form of Derby Winner Anthony Van Dyck and the improving Mount Everest whilst Charlie Appleby fields Old Persian but in there way they all have multiple Grade One winner Bricks and Mortar to beat.

The action concludes with the Dirt Classic, where Bob Baffert goes for glory again with his dirt specialist McKinzie.