Breeders’ Cup by the numbers

Since 1984, the Breeders' Cup has offered horse racing fans a thrilling weekend packed full of Grade 1 races, including the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic.

On Nov. 6-7, the 37th annual Breeders' Cup will return to Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky, and feature elite Thoroughbreds from around the world, including American classic winner Swiss Skydiver and Authentic.

To get you ready for all the excitement, let's examine the Breeders’ Cup by looking at records and other facts and figures surrounding the distinguished two-day racing event.

1

The number of fillies who have won the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In 2009, Zenyatta beat out her male competition in the Classic to earn her 14th straight victory. Zenyatta’s only loss came in her final race, the 2010 Classic, where she finished second to Blame.

1 1/4 miles

The distance of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), run over dirt. Three-year-old Thoroughbreds and older can enter the Classic, one of the premier Thoroughbred races of the year.

2

The most Breeders’ Cup Classic wins by one horse. Trained by Jay Robbins and ridden by jockey Chris McCarron, Tiznow (2000, 2001) is the only two-time winner of the Classic.

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2:00.07

Keeneland's track record for a 1 1/4-mile dirt race, which was set by American Pharoah in the 2015 Breeders' Cup Classic.

3

The number of times Bob Baffert has won the Breeders' Cup Classic, a record for a trainer. Three could also be the number of entries Baffert will field in this year’s Classic, as 2020 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Authentic, plus 2019 Derby runners Improbable and Maximum Security, are expected to race Saturday.

4

The age of 15 of the 36 Breeders' Cup Classic winners. Four-year-olds entered in the 2020 Classic include By My Standards, Global Campaign, Improbable, Maximum Security, and Tacitus. The Classic has been won by a 3-year-old 12 times and by a 5-year-old nine times.

5

The most Breeders' Cup Classic victories by one jockey. Chris McCarron (Alysheba, 1988; Sunday Silence, 1989; Alphabet Soup, 1996; Tiznow, 2000; Tiznow, 2001) and Jerry Bailey (Black Tie Affair, 1991; Arcangues, 1993; Concern, 1994; Cigar, 1995; Saint Liam, 2005) are tied for the record.

6 1/2

Both American Pharoah (2015) and Volponi (2002) won the Breeders’ Cup Classic by 6 1/2 lengths, the largest winning margin in Classic history.

7

The age of Tom’s d’Etat, the oldest Thoroughbred running in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic. The oldest winner of any Breeders’ Cup race is Calidoscopio, who finished first in the 2012 Breeders' Cup Marathon (G1) at age 9.

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10

In 2019, Santa Anita hosted the Breeders’ Cup for a record 10th time. The Breeders’ Cup has been held at Churchill Downs nine times, while 2020 host Keeneland first welcomed the event in 2015. The Lexington track will host the Breeders’ Cup again in 2022.

14

The total number of races set for the 2020 Breeders' Cup. Five will be run Friday, followed by nine on Saturday, including the Classic, which is scheduled for 5:13 p.m. ET.

20

The number of Breeders’ Cup races won by trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Bob Baffert and Chad Brown are the closest to Lukas' record, with 15 wins each.

26

The record number of Breeders’ Cup races won by a jockey. Mike Smith set the mark in 2017, with his win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with Caledonia Road. Smith has also won the Breeders' Cup Classic four times, the last in 2016 aboard Arrogate.

31%

The rate at which post-time favorites win Breeders’ Cup races.

40

The number of horses who have won Breeders’ Cup races from post 4, the most winners in Breeders' Cup history.

133-1

The odds of 1993 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Arcangues, the longest shot to win a Breeders’ Cup race.

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$6 million

The total purse for the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Classic. The winner of the race will receive a $3.12 million share.

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Wager on the 2020 Breeders' Cup at BetAmerica!