With 191 entries, the Breeders’ Cup promises a constellation of star power.

Beyond the six South American representatives, the Classic takes center stage with standout names such as Sovereignty, Sierra Leone, Journalism, Fierceness, Forever Young, and Baeza

Sierra Leone will look to defend his title in the Classic / BREEDERS' CUP

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- The eyes of the racing world will once again turn toward Del Mar, where, from October 31 to November 1, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships—the pinnacle of the international racing calendar—will take place. With 207 pre-entries representing five continents and more than $34 million in total purses, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a historic weekend.

A total of 191 individual horses are targeting the 14 Grade I championship events, including many of the sport’s most recognizable names. The main attraction will once again be the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which shapes up as a star-studded rematch among last year’s top three—Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Fierceness (City of Light) and Japan’s Forever Young (Real Steel)—joined by the brilliant 3-year-olds Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Journalism (Curlin), both headline performers on the 2025 U.S. scene.

The prospective Classic lineup also includes Antiquarian (Preservationist), Baeza (McKinzie), Contrary Thinking(Into Mischief), Locked (Gun Runner), Mindframe (Constitution) and Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), forming one of the deepest and most compelling casts in recent memory. It’s hardly a coincidence—16 previous Classic winners have gone on to be crowned Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards, underscoring that Del Mar will once again host the very summit of the sport.

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup marks the fourth visit of the series to Del Mar—“where the turf meets the surf”—following last year’s record handle of $203.7 million wagered worldwide. This year’s lineup includes confirmed participation from Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, alongside runners from Japan, Ireland, England, France, South Africa, Canada, and the United States, reaffirming the truly global character of the championship.

Among the 58 international runners are several proven Group performers from Europe and Asia, while South America will once again be represented by horses drawn by both the prestige and the lucrative purses of the event.

Eight past Breeders’ Cup champions will attempt to add to their legacies: Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), hero of the 2024 Juvenile (G1); Fierceness, the 2023 Juvenile winner and runner-up in last year’s Classic; the Argentine Full Serrano (Full Mast), winner of the Dirt Mile (G1); Nobals (Noble Mission), 2023 Turf Sprint (G1) winner; Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi), dual Turf (G1) champion; Sierra Leone, the reigning Classic winner; Straight No Chaser(Speightster), 2024 Sprint (G1) hero; and White Abarrio (Race Day), the 2023 Classic victor.

In total, 46 horses have qualified through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, the global network of 93 qualifying races held across 15 countries, which grants automatic entry and paid fees to the winners.

“The group of pre-entered horses this year reflects the quality and global prestige of the Breeders’ Cup,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders’ Cup President and CEO. “Each division is packed with champions, classic winners, and international stars. We are deeply grateful to the owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys who make this event possible, to Del Mar for being an outstanding host, and to the fans who continue to elevate our sport.”

Coverage will match the event’s stature: NBC Sports will produce over 10 hours of live programming across NBCand USA Network, along with full streaming coverage on Peacock, showcasing all 14 championship races. Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic will anchor a 3½-hour primetime broadcast from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. ET. In parallel, FanDuel TV will provide continuous live coverage of all championship and undercard races across its digital and social platforms.

The broadcast will reach more than 180 countries, with coverage on ITV4, Sky Sports Racing, and Racing TV in the UK; Virgin Media in Ireland; ESPN in Latin America; Green Channel and Netkeiba in Japan; Sportsnet in Canada; SuperSport in Africa; and FanCode in India, among others.

Fans can find complete information, profiles, statistics, videos, and multimedia content at BreedersCup.com or via the event’s official mobile app. Final entries will be confirmed Monday, October 27, during the post position draw to be broadcast live on FanDuel TV and official digital channels.

With less than two weeks to go, the countdown is on. Featuring international stars, defending champions, and emerging talent, the 2025 Breeders’ Cup promises another unforgettable edition—one that will once again cement Del Mar as one of the great stages of world racing.