Whether you’ve attended a horse racing event or not, the Breeders Cup is a different ball game you would not expect. From the attendance alone to the names you’ll see during the events, you can say that the Breeders Cup is on a whole different level. How so? The Breeders Cup is considered the world championship of horse racing, so of course, you can assume that the horses, jockeys, and trainers are huge names in their trade.
Even the spectators are nothing to scoff at either since celebrities, athletes, and even politicians will attend the event. If you’re a horse racing fan and haven’t gone to a single Breeders Cup before, you shouldn’t miss the next one. It might be overwhelming for you, but don’t worry, as in this article, we will discuss some things you should know before attending the upcoming Breeders Cup.
How the Horses Qualify
It won’t be a championship event if anyone with a horse can enter. So before you attend the Breeders Cup, it would be good if you know how the horses qualify for the Breeders Cup. Since it’s a world championship event for horse racing, you can assume that only the best can enter the races, and usually, there are three ways a horse can participate.
It would be the Breeders Cup Challenge Series, the Graded Stakes Point System, and the Panel of Experts. The Breeders Cup Challenge Series is held throughout the year. Any horse that can win one of these races is qualified to join the Breeders Cup in November. However, the runner-ups will be on the Graded Stakes Point System.
They will be given points if they are runner-up, and the top three horses with the most points will be qualified to join come November. However, the Panel of Experts will assess the horses that show promise or weren’t able to join the qualifying races. They can join if the Panel of Experts deems the horse worthy enough.
Where Will It Be Held?
With the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument as a beautiful backdrop, this year’s Breeders Cup will be held at Santa Anita Park in California. The park is located in Arcadia, home to Seabiscuit, who won the Santa Anita Handicap in his final race. The movie with the same name is also shot in the park. The event will be held on November 3 and 4, which is only a few weeks away.
How Many Races Are in the Event?
There are 14 races in the two-day event, like the TVG Breeders Cup Turf and the Breeders Cup Classic. Typically, there are different races for different preferences of horses. There are longer races, short races, dirt track surfaces, grass surfaces, etc. There are also male or female-only races and young thoroughbred races. There’s also an open company, which any horse can join in the event. Simply put, there’s an event for every horse that will participate in the event.
It’s a Huge Social Event
Because of the amount of purse money and the park’s proximity to Hollywood, you can safely assume that many posh people will be there. From celebrities to politicians, you don’t want to get caught wearing home clothes unless that’s your style. Also, there will be a lot of food and drinks there, so during the night, you might be lucky to meet some of your idols drinking and eating in the nearby bars and restaurants.
If you want to blend in with the people there, you might want to dress to impress. So, for the ladies, you might want to wear a comfy but elegant attire for the event. If you have a posh dress, you can pair it with a gorgeous hat or hairstyle. If you’re planning on wearing heels, you might want to abandon the idea since you will be walking a lot during the event, so we suggest you wear pumps instead or some stylish flats.
For the gents, it’s time to get your suits and blazers out. You can select some high fashion suit with the matching shirt on the inside. You can pair them with the appropriate bowtie or necktie for some casual business attire, along with the correct color of shoes. Put on your stylish sunglasses, and you’re good to go.
Opt for Official Ticket Packages
The Breeders Cup offers Official ticket packages containing the complete package for the whole event. From seats to accommodations, there’s nothing to worry about when you get there if you get the full package. You simply have to show up and take advantage of the services they offer. In short, if you want the full Breeders Cup experience, you want to buy those official ticket packages.
Final Words
The Breeders Cup is arguably the biggest yearly horse racing event you shouldn’t miss. From the horses to the spectators, the event will be big, and if you’re a fan of horse racing, you should go to the Breeders Cup at least once. By remembering the points we discussed above, you will blend in with the crowd as you enjoy one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.
