The Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf is contested at a distance of 1 1⁄2 miles which, along with the $4 million purse, makes it an attractive target for turf specialists from both North America and around the world. It is one of the seven initial Breeders’ Cup championship races and will be contested for the 37th time this year.
Of the 39 previous runnings, 24 have been claimed by European invaders. Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien has sent out six winners – 2002, High Chaparral; 2003, High Chaparral (DH with Johar); 2011, St. Nicholas Abbey; 2013, Magician; 2015, Found; and 2016, Highland Reel. All were owned by the Coolmore partnership of Sue Maginer, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.
Top European jockey Frankie Dettori, who postponed his retirement previously set to be at the end of this year and will spend another winter in America at Santa Anita in California, leads all riders with five winners on his spectacular resume — 1999, Daylami; 2001, Fantastic Light; 2006, Red Rocks; 2010, Dangerous Midge; and 2018, Enable. Both Conduit (2008, 2009) and High Chaparral (2002, 2003) have won this race twice. High Chaparral dead-heated with Johar for the win in 2003 in the first and only dead heat in Breeders’ Cup history.
The Breeders’ Cup Turf has seen remarkable performances over the years, and Little Mike’s 2:22.83 record time in 2012 remains the fastest time ever clocked for this race. However, Enable etched her name in the annals of history by becoming the first horse to achieve the rare feat of winning both the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1T) and the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year in 2018, solidifying her status as a true racing legend.
Breeders’ Cup winners who went on to win the Eclipse Award for champion turf male:
Manila 1986
Theatrical 1987
Kotashaan 1993
Northern Spur 1995
Chief Bearhart 1997
Buck’s Boy, 1998
Daylami, 1999
Kalanisi, 2000
Fantastic Light, 2001
High Chaparral, 2002
High Chaparral, 2003
English Channel, 2007
Conduit, 2008
Main Sequence, 2014
Bricks and Mortar, 2019
Ybir, 2021
Notably, Kotashaan in 1993 and Bricks and Mortar in 2019 achieved the remarkable distinction of not only winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf but also earning the coveted title of American Horse of the Year. These incredible horses stand as testaments to the enduring legacy and international significance of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, a race that continues to capture the hearts of racing enthusiasts and showcase the finest turf talent from across the globe.