There is so much global interest in the Breeders’ Cup 2024 from the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California that we just had to have our horse racing experts take a look. A two-day meet, this year’s edition takes place on Friday, 1 and Saturday, 2 November.
Many runners from the British Isles cross the Atlantic for shots at the multi-million dollar races. There is also an unprecedented number of Japanese horses taking part at Del Mar.
With international form lines tested, horse racing betting sites worldwide look sure to take plenty of money on the meet. Before we delve into our Breeders’ Cup 2024 preview, here are some of equine stars familiar to UK punters on show.
Friday’s juveniles only card includes Whistlejacket and Lake Victoria for Aidan O’Brien. Godolphin run two in the concluding Juvenile Turf race with Aomori City and Al Qudra joined by Qatar Racing’s New Century.
Saturday sees focus switch to older horses. The Turf Sprint race includes Bradsell, Big Evs and Believing all taking each other on again stateside. Emily Upjohn and Rebel’s Romance are among British horses tackling the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Epsom Derby hero City Of Troy contests the Breeders’ Cup Classic on dirt after never racing on anything but turf, meanwhile. The turf Mile race sees Porta Fortuna face Notable Speech. If that whets your appetite, then here’s our full race by race analysis:
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Preview – Friday Races
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (5f)
Big-spenders Wathan Racing appear to have a strong hand here. Although retained rider James Doyle choses Flying Childers hero Aesterius, there is definite each way value in SHAREHOLDER, who looks to have been laid out for this since his Norfolk Stakes win during Royal Ascot by Karl Burke.
Molecomb Stakes scorer Big Mojo rates a big danger for last year’s winning connections. The trip and conditions far from ideal for Whistlejacket, however. Ecoro Sieg looks a real dark horse for Japan, meanwhile, with Governor Sam best of the home team.
NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (1m 11oy)
It is hard to get away from unbeaten Godolphin filly IMMERSIVE seeking a Grade I hat-trick for the Brad Cox barn that won this race in 2019. Scottish Lassie was hugely impressive, however, and rates a big danger.
Non Compliant is also unbeaten and the pick of Bob Baffert’s pair, while Japan has a contender in American Bikini. Lady Cara could be a bit of each way value from those at bigger prices.
John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (1m)
Aidan O’Brien has the unbeaten and unopposable LAKE VICTORIA out to extend her sequence to five wins here. She should find the mile even more suitable than when dropped back in trip for her second Group 1 victory last time. Lake Victoria has both the speed and class, demonstrated with Moyglare Stud and Cheveley Park successes this autumn.
Thought Process and Scythian head up the home team challenge, which also includes undefeated duo Kilwin and May Day Ready. Mark Case runs three with Vixen arguably the pick of those, while Chad Brown relies on Virgin Colada to extend his excellent record in the race.
FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (1m 110y)
There are four unbeaten horses sure of prominent places in the market. Chief among those is EAST AVENUE for Brendan Walsh and Godolphin. Chance McPatrick heads across America after a hat-trick of wins on the Atlantic Coast.
More local to Del Mar, meanwhile, is Gaming – the pick of Bob Baffert’s trio as the California trainer seeks a record sixth win and third in the race since 2018. Jonathan’s Way completes the as yet undefeated quartet. Ferocious and Citizen Bull are ones at bigger prices who could get in amongst those big guns with lofty reputations.
Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (1m)
With a record six wins in the race already, anything saddled by Aidan O’Brien commands respect, so HENRI MATISSE looks value back on quicker ground with his Curragh Futurity form franked by the runner-up, Hotazhell. That one has subsequently landed both the Beresford Stakes and Doncaster Futurity Trophy last weekend.
Godolphin and Charlie Appleby have three previous victories in this, so both Aomori City and Al Qudra are worth a second look. The latter couldn’t beat New Century at Woodbine the last day, so that brings Qatar Racing’s runner into calculations. Zulu Kingdom, as yet unbeaten, looks the clear best of the home team.
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Preview – Saturday Races
PNC Bank Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (7f)
Although Ways And Means brings good form to the table, older fillies boast a better record here. Therefore, SOCIETY is the selection on a really eye-catching Ballerina Handicap victory over re-opposing duo Scylla and Vahva. This is despite being worse off at the weights with both.
From those at bigger prices, Soul Of An Angel has the potential to reinvent herself over this new distance as she remains unexposed at it. Ways And Means could easily do likewise for the Chad Brown barn that landed consecutive editions of this with Goodnight Olive.
Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (5f)
Steve Asmussen has a real star on his hands in Jaipur Stakes hero COGBURN, who broke the track record that day, has been excellent all year and beat the previous winner of this race in 2023. On that basis, and his unbeaten campaign this term, he’s the one to beat.
Wide draws are an issue for British runners Big Evs (successful stateside 12 months ago) and Bradsell, but the latter always seems to find a way of besting old rival Believing. Motorious is interesting for the home team, while Godolphin filly Star Of Mystery could also go well.
Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (1m 1f)
This will hopefully be the coronation that THORPEDO ANNA deserves as the best filly on dirt around. She’s been untouchable against fellow females, taking on all-comers and winning at major meets throughout the campaign.
Thorpedo Anna’s CV includes the Kentucky Oaks, Acorn Stakes and Coaching Club American Oaks. She lost nothing in defeat to Fierceness in the Travers Stakes either and bounced right back with yet more Grade I success the last day.
While Japanese raider Awesome Result could be anything, Raging Sea is the main danger to Kenneth McPeek’s superstar after demonstrating plenty of improvement. Candied could also be one in the frame here.
Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (1m 4f)
The 2022 winner REBEL’S ROMANCE brings strong international form to the table, while his King George third behind Goliath and Bluestocking also reads well. He can regain the crown he didn’t defend for Godolphin last year.
Although Emily Upjohn has her last hurrah here and Luxembourg needs to truly prove his stamina, the Aidan O’Brien second string Wingspan is interesting off bottom weight back on a sounder surface.
With staying power a concern for Jayarebe, the in-form Far Bridge could go well. Japanese runner Shahryar seeks to improve on his third in this 12 months ago, alongside the fourth and track specialist Gold Phoenix.
Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (1m 2f)
Very competitive and, although City Of Troy has had plenty of fans from his side of the Atlantic, the likely tactics of going forward might bring the stamina of Coolmore owner companion SIERRA LEONE into play.
The Kentucky Derby second has run a string of fine races in defeat, so that form obviously highlights Japan’s Forever Young as well. There is almost nothing between them on Churchill Downs form.
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile hero Fierceness also commands respect on that and other runs despite his Kentucky Derby blip in May. At bigger prices, meanwhile, Ushba Tesoro and Highland Falls could also get in amongst the three-year-olds they’re giving weight to.
Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (1m 3f)
A step into the unknown stamina wise for many, but not for Bill Mott’s WAR LIKE GODDESS who stays further. Despite being a Breeders’ Cup veteran aged seven, she has held her form remarkably well and runs against the boys give her claims.
Chief among the dangers are three-year-old Anglo-Irish raiders Cinderella’s Dream and Content, who should appreciate the return to a sounder surface. Moira made the show in this 12 months ago and has an extra furlong to throw down a challenge, so she completes the shortlist.
Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (6f)
WinStar Farm have a very strong hand here with MULLIKIN and Federal Judge. Preference is for the former, who made all in the Forego Stakes in such a way that dropping back in trip will be no problem.
The owner-companion of Mullikin is greatly feared, however, alongside Santa Anita Sprint Championship scorer Straight No Chaser. Last year’s third Nakatomi, alongside Japanese pair Don Frankie and Remake also have claims.
FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (1m)
A strong bunch of three-year-olds headed by PORTA FORTUNA and Notable Speech should hold sway this year. The former gets the maximum weight for age and sex allowances, and is well worth her place against the boys and her elders.
Porta Fortuna went close at the meet last year and has gone from strength-to-strength in adding three more Group 1s to her CV this term, earning her the vote. Godolphin’s strong recent record means Notable Speech is a serious threat, however.
In-form duo Johannes and Carl Spackler look the best of the home team. Concerns exist over Franco-Irish duo Ramatuelle and Diego Velazquez about conditions and their ability to replicate form when travelling respectively.
Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (1m)
Not the strongest renewal by any means, but Pat Day Mile and Preakness Stakes hero SEIZE THE GREY may have found an excellent opportunity to add to his subsequent Pennsylvania Derby victory for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
Fellow three-year-olds Domestic Product and Muth both have claims, but also questions to answer. From the older dirt milers, Saudi Crown and Skippylongstocking, who made the show in this last year, appeal most.
