The purse for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) has doubled to $6 million from $3 million since its start in 1984. Of course, the winner’s share has followed suit, doubling to $3.12 million to the winning owner from $1.56 million in 1984.
The $3 million purse ran from 1984-1995, increased to $4 million from 1996-2005, got another boost to $5 million from 2006-2015, and was raised to $6 million in 2016.
It’s also been the richest of the Breeders’ Cup races, but others have increased as well, including the BC Mile (from $1 million up to $2 million since 2006, the BC Distaff (from $1 million to $2 million since 1996) and the Turf (from $2 million at the start, $3 million from 2006-2016, and then to $4 million).
Leading Money-Winners in Breeders Cup History
Zenyatta (photo via Zenyatta.com).
A look at the top 20 leading money-winners over 39 editions of the Breeders’ Cup, and it’s easy to see why Classic winners are in the majority.
At No. 1? That would be the great mare Zenyatta with $4,680,000 earned from three memorable Breeders’ Cups, including perhaps one of the greatest performances in thoroughbred racing – a heart-pounding victory over the boys in the 2009 Classic.
Zenyatta, owned by the late Jerry Moss, won the BC Ladies Classic (G1) in 2008, and then went for a second straight Classic win in 2010 but was beaten a head by Blame in the final race of her career – her only defeat in 20 races.
Her earnings for those races: $1.08 million from the Ladies Classic, $2.7 million from the Classic win, and $900,000 for second in the 2010 Classic.
Two other females, neither of whom ran in the Classic, are in the top 20: three-time Mile winner Goldikova (No. 6, at $3,508,200), and Juvenile Fillies and two-time Distaff winner Beholder (No. 11, at $3,280,000).
Top 20 list of Breeders’ Cup money earners
1 Zenyatta, $4.680,000 (3-2-1-0)
2 Tiznow, $4,560,400 (2-2-0-0)
3 Authentic, $4,120,000 (1-1-0-0)
4 Knicks Go, $3,980,000 (3-2-1-0)
5 Mucho Macho Man, $3,650,000 (2-1-1-0)
6 Goldikova, $3,508,200 (4-3-0-1)
7 Gun Runner, $3.470,000 (2-1-1-0)
8 Arrogate, $3,420,000 (2-1-0-0)
9 Accelerate, $3,390,000 (3-1-0-1)
10 Vino Rosso, $3,300,000 (1-1-0-0)
11 Beholder, $3,280,000 (3-3-0-0)
12 Conduit, $3,240,000 (2-2-0-0)
13 Flightline, $3,120,000 (1-1-0-0)
14 Fort Larned, $3,000,000 (2-1-0-0)
15 Curlin, $2,995,000 (2-1-0-0)
16 (tie) American Pharoah, $2,750,000 (1-1-0-0)
16 (tie) Bayern, $2,750,000 (1-1-0-0)
18 (tie) Blame, $2,700,000 (1-1-0-0)
18 (tie) Drosselmeyer, $2,700,000 (1-1-0-0)
18 (tie) Invasor, $2,700,000 (1-1-0-0)
18 (tie) Raven’s Pass, $2,700,000 (1-1-0-0)