Ultimate Guide to Betting on the Breeders Cup

While the UK is largely considered to be the spiritual home of horse racing, several Grade 1 meetings are held globally all year round. Take the Breeders Cup World Championships, which is now a two-day event held annually in the United States.

These two days host 14 exceptional races, each determining a world champion in a specific class. This detail really sets the event apart, as runners and trainers can compete for recognition as the best in class and huge prize purses.

Of course, the Breeders Cup is also popular among bettors. Fortunately, Betsquare offers comprehensive coverage of the event and the best Breeders Cup bookies, enabling you to access early odds and a diverse range of betting markets. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll closely examine Betsquare horse racing and the best Breeders Cup betting strategies.

Why the Breeders Cup Captures Global Attention

The Breeders Cup history can be traced back to 1984 when it was established as a novel, single-day event. In this respect, it lacks the history and heritage of the Kentucky Derby or UK Grand National, but this unique event is far more than just a single race.

In fact, it now features 14 races (including seven Grade 1 outings), each establishing a bona fide world champion in categories such as Juvenile, Filly & Mare Sprint and Dirt Mile. This is why the Breeders Cup is considered the most important event in the international horse racing calendar. 

The event is also revered as the de facto world horse racing championships, and it continues to draw runners, riders, and trainers from across the globe. Its popularity and reputation have grown considerably since 2007, when the Breeders Cup was expanded to incorporate two stellar days of racing.

The highlight here is the Breeders Cup Classic, the U.S.’s premier thoroughbred horse race of the year, worth up to $6 million. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is contested by the world’s best two-year-olds, some of whom may contend for the following year’s Kentucky Derby.

 

Betting Strategies for the Breeders Cup

You can bet on any of the races at the Breeders Cup, depending on your analysis of the competing fields, prevailing track conditions and real-time odds. So, we’ve prepared some insightful Breeders Cup betting strategies to help you make the most of your bankroll.

 

• Study historic trainer performance:  Since 2014, trainer Chad Brown has fielded 115 runners across various Breeders Cup races, recording 16 winners in total. Brad H. Cox and Aidan O’Brien have achieved 10 wins each,  although the former has only fielded 38 runners. Interestingly, Charlie Appleby has had the best rate of success in the Breeders Cup during the last decade, producing nine victors in just 19 attempts at a staggering win rate of 47%. So, keep your eyes peeled for these trainers and their runners when comparing Breeders Cup odds and betting lines.

• Review past jockey performances: Irad Ortiz Jr is the most successful Breeders Cup jockey since 2014, having ridden 20 winners from 97 outings (at a win-rate of 21%). Joel Rosario has ridden 13 winners in the last decade, while European jockeys Ryan Moore and William Buick have triumphed eight times apiece. We’d also recommend that you distinguish between turf and dirt performances, with nine of Rosario’s 13 winners coming on the latter surface.

• Understand likely track conditions: The 2024 and 2025 Breeders Cup meetings will take place at the Del Mar Racetrack in California. As these events will be held in November, horses will most likely encounter soft and slow conditions, which may help to counter a track that typically suits sprinters and fast runners. When comparing horses in particular races, analyse their form to see how they’ve previously fared in soft going and at the Del Mar Racetrack. This could help you to identify the optimal value in the published odds.

• Watch the action when engaging in live horse racing betting: If you want to bet live rather than leverage ante-post markets, Betsquare’s sports betting sites have various tools and features to optimise results. For example, you can sometimes live-stream race action, helping you identify the best value markets and runners in real time. There are also race replays available, making it easier to produce more informed picks concerning the field and track conditions. Click here to check out the full range of available Betsquare betting features.

Comparing Betsquare’s Breeders Cup Offerings with Competitors

We’ve reviewed and ranked several of Australia’s best sports betting sites here at Betsquare. These entities offer numerous advantages over other major bookmakers (such as Unibet), including the following:

 

• Access early, enhanced and guaranteed odds: Betsquare horse racing odds tend to be highly competitive. What’s more, our recommended bookies have already published ante post odds ahead of high-profile races like the 2024 Breeders Cup Classic, enabling you to access significantly enhanced prices. Some sportsbooks may also offer guaranteed odds, which afford you optimal value across win markets, each-way wagers, and place bets.

 

• Bet on a comprehensive range of markets: When you browse our best horse racing betting sites, you’ll also see a diverse and comprehensive markets. So, in addition to our aforementioned win markets and each-way lines, you can execute place bets and exotic wager types such as Exactas and Trifectas. There’s also the opportunity to build accumulators when betting on the Breeders Cup as you look to pick the winners of two or more races during the entire two-day event.

• Find special and tailored promotions: Not only do each of our bookies offer generous welcome offers, but they may also create bespoke Breeders Cup promotions. These will often comprise free bet offers that match a specified deposit amount and require you to wager at minimum odds. Enhanced and guaranteed odds may also be made available for specific Breeders Cup races, potentially creating superior value even when you back short-price favourites.

Maximising Winnings with Betsquare at the Breeders Cup

Utilising promotional offers and free bets also enables you to maximise potential winnings when wagering on the Breeders Cup. But other than leveraging the best Betsquare promotions, what other steps can you take to realise the total value of your bankroll?

 

• Bet as early as you can: As we’ve touched on, many of Betsquares’ bookies have already published ante post odds ahead of races such as the Breeders Cup Classic. By taking advantage of this and betting as early as you can, it’s possible to unlock enhanced odds due to the sheer number of potential runners and winners in the field. Although the final list of runners here will be confirmed closer to the race day, you can follow your preferred picks to review their injury status, additional entries and how likely they are to contend overall.

• Make the most of each-way bets: If you’re focused on maximising betting winnings and returns over time, your goal should be to cover as many potential outcomes as possible. One way to achieve this when wagering on individual races is to leverage each-way betting, which splits your unit bet and simultaneously backs a horse to win and finish in the places. This increases your chances of banking at least a nominal return, so long as your runner finishes in the top three.  

• Engage in betting pools: At Betsquare, we also offer access to betting pools. These entities tend to cover win, place and each-way bets while placing successful wagers will see you share the final prize pool with like-minded individuals. Obviously, your final payout will depend on the number of people who wager successfully, but it’s possible to bank optimal returns through this mode of betting. You can also use our Breeders Cup betting tips to identify the best picks.

FAQs About Betting on the Breeders Cup with Betsquare

What are the most popular Breeders Cup bets?

You can place Breeders Cup bets on any of the event’s 14 races. The most popular markets include picking a race winner, each-way wagering and place betting, but Betsquares’ recommended bookies also offer exotic wager types. You can also engage in ‘Double’ and ‘Treble’ betting. These markets require you to pick the winners of two and three Breeders Cup races, respectively, while deploying the same value unit bet each time. 

How Can I Bet on the Breeders Cup?

Firstly, you’ll need to pick one of our recommended bookmakers, using our detailed reviews and a real-time comparison of the available Breeders Cup odds. You should then compare the available welcome offers and Breeders Cup promotions before registering for an account and depositing funds. Finally, compare the range of available Breeders Cup markets and build your bet slips.

How Long Do Withdrawals Take?

Withdrawal times tend to vary from one site and payment method to another. For example, transferring funds via bank transfer usually takes longer than debit card or e-wallet withdrawals, whereas crypto winnings can be accessed in minutes. Each sportsbook may also have its own internal processing times, which may vary during busy periods and weekends. Fortunately, we compare withdrawal times and restrictions as part of our comprehensive betting site reviews.