There are several ways for Thoroughbreds to arrive at the Breeders’ Cup:

All Thoroughbred foals (baby horses) are eligible to be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup before October 15th of the year they’re born; it’s a $400 fee that ensures that foal will be eligible to the Breeders’ Cup when he or she is of racing age.

If a racehorse isn’t nominated to the Breeders’ Cup within the year of birth, their owner can supplement them into the race by paying a fee on a sliding scale based on their age and whether their sire (father) is also nominated. 

Horses can earn spots in the Breeders’ Cup in designated Win and You’re In races. This year there were 80 such qualifying races spanning the globe.

These Challenge Series races are a big deal: the Breeders’ Cup pays the entry fees and guarantees a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race Winners as long as the Winner is nominated to the Breeders’ Cup by October 25th.

In addition, the Breeders’ Cup will provide a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship starters from outside of North America and a $10,000 travel allowance for starters within North America that are stabled outside of Kentucky.

These Challenge Series races are held in 11 countries across the world, so there are plenty of opportunities for horses to qualify no matter where they’re from.

The Breeders’ Cup takes its show on the road every year, and in 2023 the event will be held at beautiful Santa Anita Park November 3rd and 4th. 

This is the record 11th time the Breeders’ Cup has been held at Santa Anita Park with the first instance taking place in 1986, with the most recent hosting being four years ago.