Breeders Cup Betting Tips & Sites 2023

Established in 1984, the Breeders Cup is a two-day horse racing event based in the United States. The 2023 meeting is scheduled for the 4th and 5th of November at Keeneland. The event features six Grade 1 races, including the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Classic, with $6 million in prize money for grabs.

On this page, we will explain everything that there is to know about Breeders’ Cup betting. This will include the leading online bookmakers for the race, as well as the latest Breeders’ Cup tips and predictions. Ahead of the world-renowned horse racing event, information regarding the race track, runners and riders and former winners will help punters make their selections.

Best Breeders Cup Betting Sites 2023

Given its standing in the horse racing world, most horse bookies accept wagers on the event. However, in some cases, you may not find many markets. Following thorough testing, we have created a list of the top Breeders Cup betting sites. Our top-ranked bookmakers score highly on odds, ante-post options and live streaming. Below are the sites we recommend for placing a bet on this world-class racing event:

Most Popular Breeders Cup Bets

A handful of markets will be available for betting. The exact number will depend on the specific bookie. Underneath is a list of the most common Breeders Cup bets you will come across:

Winner: Available on all markets, this one simply involves betting on the winner of one of the races at the Breeders Cup. The margin of victory is not important.

Place: You are betting on a particular runner to “place” in a race. This means finishing in one of the first 4/5 places. The exact number of places paid out will differ from bookie to bookie.

Each/Way: Each way bets are split into two parts, meaning that the stake is doubled. The first is a “win” bet, while the other is a “place” bet. For the win part to be successful, your pick must finish the race first. However, a place finish will result in the 2nd bet delivering returns.

Antepost: Some punters will wish to bet as early as possible and many bookies offer ante-post markets on the event. This effectively means wagering before race lineups have been confirmed. Of course, there is a possibility your pick does not even feature on race day.

Latest Breeders Cup Tips

Ahead of betting on the event, many punters will look at Breeders Cup tips. While no predictions can claim to be 100% accurate, those published by horse racing experts are well worth taking advantage of. Below are our top picks for races at the 2023 Breeders Cup:

Go Knicks to Win the Breeders Cup Classic @5/2 (3.50)

A triumph in the Grade 1 Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park in June cemented Go Knick's position as the favourite for the Breeders Cup Classic. The 4-year-old has now won all four of its professional races. With over $500,000 in prize money to its name already, thanks to wins at Santa Anita and Del Mar, it comes as no surprise that the American thoroughbred is priced so short.

Mother Earth to Win the Breeders Cup Mile @8/1 (9.00)

While Space Blues from Ireland is rightly the current favourite for the Breeders Cup Mile, it is Mother Earth's recent form that interests us. The Irish thoroughbred is trained by Aidan O'Brien and has won or placed in its last 15 out of 21 races. While the odds may not suggest it, we believe it is a strong contender to emerge victorious. 

Basics of Breeders Cup Betting

As with any horse racing meeting, several factors must be considered before placing bets. The best Breeders Cup predictions will cover information surrounding trainers, horses and jockeys. Let’s look at some of the critical statistics in each area ahead of the 2023 Breeders Cup World Championships:

Trainer Stats

Some trainers seemingly have the knack for producing Breeders Cup winners. While it is not always the case, many winners are raised by well-known trainers who have a history of high-profile successes. With 20 Breeders Cup wins to his name, D.Wayne Lukas is the most successful trainer in the event’s history. However, not retired, it is worth keeping an eye out for runners trained by Bob Baffert and Chad Brown. The duo has 32 Breeders Cup wins between them, something to consider when viewing odds at Breeders Cup betting sites.

Horse Characteristics

9-year-old Calidoscopio was the oldest ever winner of a Breeders Cup race in 2012, a record that still stands today. The age of runners is another factor to consider. It is thought that the optimal age for high performance is five. Meanwhile, the majority of Breeders Cup winners come from the US, 281 to be exact. Ireland and the United Kingdom follow, with 35 and 23 successes, respectively. There have been many repeat winners over the years too. For example, Monomoy Girl won the Distaff in both 2018 and 2020.

Jockeys

It is also important to consider which jockey will mount a potential Breeders Cup betting pick. At age just 18, Joseph O’Brien became the youngest jockey to win a Breeders Cup race back in 2011. Meanwhile, the 1987 Breeders Cup Classic delivered the oldest jockey win, with Bill Shoemaker having been 56 at the time. Mike E. Smith has the record for the most Breeders Cup wins by a single jockey, with 26. Meanwhile, John R. Velazquez has 18 wins to his name.

What is the 2023 Schedule for the Event

The Breeders Cup is made up of 14 graded races. While some attract more interest from betting Breeders Cup punters, it is nice to understand the schedule of the event beforehand. Held over two days, the Breeders Cup Classic, Sprint and Turf are likely to appeal the most. Below is a table of the 2023 schedule:

Friday, 4th November 2023 

Saturday, 5th November 2023

Past Trends Worth Taking Into Account

Looking at past results can certainly be beneficial when making Breeders Cup predictions. Of course, going back too far in history will be almost pointless. However, results over the last five years should not be avoided. Below are some key Breeders Cup trends to consider when placing bets:

⏩ From over 350 Breeders Cup races, the favourite has come out on top around 32% of the time.

⏩ The biggest outside win at the Breeders Cup came in 1993 when 133/1 Arcangues won the Classic.

⏩ Just three horses have ever won three different Breeders Cup races. Goldikova in 2008, 2009 and 2010 is the first, followed by Beholder in 2012, 2013 and 2016.

⏩ A greater number of horses have won two different Breeders Cup races. The most recent is Golden Pal, who won the Juvenile Turf Sprint and Turf Sprint in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

⏩ The largest margin of victory for a Breeders Cup race sits at 13.5 lengths, set by Inside Information in the 1995 Distaff.

⏩ There has never been a Breeders Cup Classic winner outside the US.

⏩ Over the last decade, the quickest time for the Breeders Cup Classic was set by Authentic in 2020, at 1:59.19.

Complete List of Breeders Cup betting Sites

The Breeders Cup World Championship is rightly regarded as one of the world's biggest horse racing events. With a huge total prize pool and runners from across the globe, betting on the event is also growing in popularity. We have discussed some of the key Breeders Cup tips on this page, with the leading bookies for the event being found below: