After the meet is complete at Saratoga, horse racing fans then turn their attention to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

A two-day extravaganza of important Stakes events for Thoroughbreds competing in various divisions according to age, sex, surface (dirt or turf) and distance.

This years Breeders’ Cup is taking place at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California on November 3rd and 4th.

The two days of Breeders’ Cup racing represent the sports richest day(s) of racing, as well as being the richest overall sporting event in North America.

Therefore it should come as no surprise that it attracts top horses from around the globe.

Over the course of Friday and Saturday more than $31 million dollars in prize money will be awarded.

With the richest race being the $6 million dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is the final race on Saturdays card.

Horses can qualify for a Breeders’ Cup race in a number of ways;

1. Win a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race, which are usually the most prestigious races in each division.

2. A points system, where horses are ranked based on their performance in a number of major races.

3. Selection by a panel of experts.

There are a maximum of 14 horses selected for each Breeders’ Cup Championship race.

Seven of which come from the Challenge races and points system and seven who have been selected by the experts. This ensures the highest quality of competition.

The Daily Racing Blog will talk more about the Breeders’ Cup in the weeks leading up to that first weekend in November