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Every sport has a definitive year-ending event to crown its champions. In Thoroughbred racing, the Breeders' Cup World Championships is the culmination of the horse racing season worldwide and the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic is the defining event of the international racing season.

The Breeders' Cup Classic, run at 1 1/4 miles, draws the top international Thoroughbreds year after year. It is open to horses 3-years-old and older and is limited to 14 starters.

With every major prep and every "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race in the rearview mirror, the 41st Breeders' Cup at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is in full focus as racing's World Championships beckon November 1 & 2.

Although there are 14 races and more than $28 million in purses and awards at stake, the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) will garner the most attention. This year's Classic figures to not only decide Horse of the Year, but is shaping up as one of the very best in the race's long and storied history.

Dornoch

Dornoch, owned by a group of partners that includes retired major league baseball all star and World Series champion Jayson Werth, hit it out of the park in early summer.

Rebounding from a couple off the-board finishes in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) this spring, the speedy and determined 3-year-old took the third and final leg of the Triple Crown, the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. Then a month and a half later, he added the July 20 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park.

"I'll put this up there with anything I've ever done," Two Eight Racing's Werth said after the Belmont.

R. A. Hill Stable, West Paces Racing, Belmar Racing and Breeding and Pine Racing Stables co-own Dornoch with him.

Werth's involvement has increased media exposure to the sport and spotlighted the thrills of horse ownership.

Dornoch's speed and determination were on display in both races, with the colt gamely turning back the talented Mindframe after being passed by that rival in early stretch. He similarly won last fall's Remsen Stakes (G2) as a juvenile, beating Sierra Leone in a photo finish after that late-closing runner-up edged in front of him midway down the lane.

The victory in the Haskell was his third graded stakes win of the year, which began with him winning the March 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

The Haskell served as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), resulting in him receiving an expense-paid, automatic starting berth in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

His sire, Good Magic, won the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar in 2017 on his way to championship honors. Out of the stakes-winning Puca, Dornoch is a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage.

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Arthur's Ride

Glassman Racing's Arthur's Ride entered his 4-year-old season in 2024 as a promising colt, but one with a single victory from three starts.

But by mid-summer, he is widely considered to be one of the fastest dirt horses in North America after winning three of his first four starts of his 2024 campaign, topped by the $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) on Aug. 3. In front for much of the Whitney, Arthur's Ride sped 1 1/8 miles in a sparkling 1:48.54 over a sealed muddy track under Junior Alvarado, winning by 2 1/4 lengths over late-running Crupi.

His Whitney score, his second consecutive overpowering romp at Saratoga, earned him a paid berth into the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. Seven times since 1998 the winner of the Whitney has repeated that same year in the Breeders' Cup Classic, including just last year when White Abarrio pulled off the Whitney-Classic double.

Bred by Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon and Tapit Syndicate, Arthur's Ride is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Victory to Victory. He was bought by agent Donato Lanni for $250,000 from the Gainesway consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

His victory gave Bill Mott his first Whitney in his legendary Hall of Fame training career.

Arthur's Ride's achievement was particularly meaningful for owner Karl Glassman, who named the Tapit colt after his late father.

"He passed a year and a half ago and he knew before he passed away that I named the horse after him and he said, 'You didn't have to do that.' I said, 'Dad, I really did. You had a great ride.' And he looked at me and said, 'I have,'" Glassman recalled. "He was 91 and had a great life."

Fierceness

Fierceness, winner of the 2023 FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, may have another Breeders' Cup date in Southern California this fall when Del Mar hosts the World Championships. Fierceness could pursue the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2.

The champion 2-year-old male of last year, Fierceness has displayed brilliance again in 2024, while also continuing through the first half of his 3-year-old campaign a pattern of alternating lesser efforts with eye-catching performances.

A disappointing third in the Feb. 3 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) to begin his year at Gulfstream Park, he rebounded there with a romp in the March 30 Curlin Florida Derby (G1), a performance that helped make him the favorite in the May 4 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). But after breaking awkwardly and pushing the pace beneath the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs, he came up empty in the stretch, fading to 15th.

Given time off after the Derby, he would rebound in the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes presented by Mohegan Sun (G2) at Saratoga, turning back an inside bid from Sierra Leone to win by a length, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.15.

The Jim Dandy was his fourth victory and his third in stakes. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez described his performance as "incredible."

"He tucked up a bit after the Derby and shipping in, we felt confident that we needed to regroup and then it was just a matter of deciding between the Haskell (G1) and the Jim Dandy," Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher added.

Pletcher said he feels his colt seems to "do better with a little bit of extra time in between races."

On Aug. 24 at Saratoga, Fierceness showed he could perform brilliantly coming back in four weeks as he held off the filly Thorpedo Anna by a head to win the 1 1/4-mile Draftkings Travers (G1).

A homebred for Repole Stable, Fierceness is by 2018 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner City of Light out of the Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella.

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Facteur Cheval

Victorious in late March in the Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1), Facteur Cheval (IRE) is under consideration for another top-level stakes target this fall, though on dirt in the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

A 5-year-old gelding owned by Gary Barber and Team Valor International, Facteur Cheval returned from his success in Dubai to run sixth in the June 18 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and third in the July 31 Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood. Those races, like the Dubai Turf, came on grass, though over a shorter distance of a mile.

In the Sussex, he was beaten just 1 3/4 lengths after a poor start, losing to Notable Speech (GB) and Maljoom (IRE).

Earlier in his career, Facteur Cheval won the 2022 Prix Perth (G3) at Saint-Cloud in France.

Bred in Ireland by McCracken Farms, Facteur Cheval has a grassy pedigree being by Ribchester (IRE) out of the Shamardal mare Jawlaat (IRE). But Team Valor founder and CEO Barry Irwin regards Facteur Cheval as having the size and look of an American dirt horse.

Team Valor has experienced success by shifting its top runners to dirt, notably with the Graham Motion-trained Animal Kingdom in the 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1) that was his initial start on dirt.

Though the 1 1/4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic would be the longest race of Facteur Cheval's career, he stayed 1 1/8 miles in the Dubai Turf over an international field.

Without the turn of foot necessary to take down top company on firm turf, Facteur Cheval prefers give in the ground when racing on turf. This grinding style could point to him being a horse that can handle dirt. A workout on dirt at Meydan prior to the Dubai Turf also encouraged trainer Jerome Reynier about his main-track ability.

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National Treasure

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert narrowly missed winning his first Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) last year when National Treasure, in his final start at 3, was beaten a nose by eventual Horse of the Year Cody's Wish.

If 2024 is a redemption tour, National Treasure is off to a bullish start with Grade 1 stakes victories in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational presented by Baccarat at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park and the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (aka Met Mile) June 8 at Saratoga. National Treasure was favored in both races.

In his only other 2024 start, National Treasure finished fourth beaten 1 3/4 lengths in the Saudi Cup (G1) at about 1 1/8 miles Feb. 24 in Saudi Arabia. National Treasure was a front-running 6 ¼-length winner of the Metropolitan Handicap, moved to Saratoga because of construction at Belmont Park. National Treasure's winning time for a mile over a fast track,1:35.12, was just off the track record (1:34.72), set in 1992 by Key Contender.

The Metropolitan Handicap was National Treasure's third career Grade 1 victory. He also won the 2023 Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown. National Treasure, by top sire Quality Road, races for a high-profile ownership group that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables.

National Treasure was purchased for $500,000 in 2021 at Fasig-Tipton New York's Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. National Treasure has bankrolled $5,372,000, which, through July 23, ranked 72nd in North American history, according to Equibase. Overall, National Treasure has a 4-2-2 record from 13 starts.

National Treasure was bred in Kentucky by Peter Blum. Blum also bred the Baffert-trained Authentic, who capped his 2020 Horse of the Year campaign with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Blum bred and raced National Treasure's dam, Treasure, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro.

Senor Buscador

A precocious, stakes-winning juvenile whose 3-year-old campaign was derailed by setbacks, Senor Buscador has excelled as an older horse.

Now 6, Senor Buscador is enjoying his finest campaign while competing in some of the richest races around the world. In January, he was second, beaten a neck by National Treasure in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes presented by Baccarat (G1) at Gulfstream Park, with his customaryl late rally falling just short.

The following month, he traveled to the Middle East, where he rallied from far back to win $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), capitalizing on a fast pace and a long stretch at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh that suited his hard-charging style.

Under Junior Alvarado, Senor Buscador passed most of the field in the final 300 meters, defeating Japanese star Ushba Tesoro (JPN) by a head. With his rewarding victory in the 1 1/8-mile race, he avenged prior defeats to such high-class horses as White Abarrio, National Treasure, Derma Sotogake (JPN), and Hoist the Gold -- none of whom could keep pace with him late.

Trainer Todd Fincher then took him to Dubai to compete in the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) for Sharaf Mohammed S. Al Hariri and Joey Peacock. The son of Mineshaft would again run well, finishing third behind blowout winner Laurel River and just a neck behind Ushba Tesoro in second.

Following that March 30 race, Senor Buscador was given a break. He resumed breezing in late May at San Luis Rey Training Center in Southern California.

A start in this year's Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), taking place Nov. 2 at Del Mar, would mark his third outing at the World Championships. He was eighth in the 2022 Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and seventh in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic.

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Sierra Leone

Signaling his stakes potential last year at age 2 when he was second, beaten a nose by Dornoch, in a stirring Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct, Sierra Leone has developed into one of the top 3-year-olds in North America in 2024.

A winner of his first two starts this year, capturing the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, the son of Gun Runner later hit the board twice in two legs of the Triple Crown when second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and third in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

A nose away from catching Mystik Dan and Kentucky Derby glory, he noticeably drifted in and bumped with third-place Forever Young (JPN) in the May 4 classic - jostling that may have compromised both runners.

In the lead-up to the Belmont, trainer Chad Brown changed bits to try to curb his colt's inside-drifting tendency and switched riders from Tyler Gaffalione to Flavien Prat.

Starting as the Belmont favorite, Sierra Leone's rally would fall 1 1/2 lengths short of catching the winner, his Remsen nemesis Dornoch. Sierra Leone was a length behind runner-up Mindframe.

Returning from the Triple Crown at Saratoga July 27 in the Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (G2), he closed up the inside down the stretch to check in a length behind Fierceness, last year's champion 2-year-old male.

A $2.3 million auction purchase in 2022 at Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, Sierra Leone races for owners Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Rocket Ship Racing.

Bred in Kentucky by Debby Oxley, Sierra Leone is out of the Grade 1-winning Malibu Moon mare Heavenly Love.

Forever Young

Forever Young entered this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs widely considered to be Japan's best hope to end the country 0-for-6 mark in the Run for the Roses, with their top finishes twice being sixths, first by Master Fencer (JPN) in 2019 and then by Derma Sotogake (JPN) in 2023.

While Forever Young fell short of victory with a third-place finish, he proved he is among the world's top 3-year-old dirt horses in defeat, edged by just two noses.

His performance was more eye-catching given his trip. Off poorly and in 16th place of 20 horses down the backstretch, he rallied to run just behind victorious Mystik Dan and runner-up Sierra Leone, doing so after bumping with the second-place finisher as that rival drifted toward Forever Young down the stretch.

Forever Young returned to Japan shortly after the May 4 race, though he could return to the United States in the fall. The Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar is a possibility for the talented son of Real Steel (JPN), who prior to the Derby had compiled a 5-for-5 record with three victories in his native Japan and two in the Middle East. There, he won the Boutique Group Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and U.A.E. Derby Sponsored By Atlantis The Royal (G2) in Dubai at Meydan Racecourse.

Forever Young, owned by Susumu Fujita, is trained by Yoshito Yahagi, who won two Breeders' Cup races at the 2021 World Championships at Del Mar with Loves Only You (JPN) and March Lorraine (JPN). Loves Only You triumphed in the Maker's Mark Breeder's Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and Marche Lorraine in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

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City of Troy

City of Troy, Europe's champion juvenile after winning all three of his starts in 2023, disappointed in his first start of 2024 with a ninth-place finish in the May 4 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (G1) at Newmarket in his debut at age 3.

But a bounce-back was quick to follow, as City of Troy produced a dominant success in the Betfred Derby (G1) on June 1 at Epsom Racecourse, giving a record-extending 10th Derby victory for trainer Aidan O'Brien and a fourth for jockey Ryan Moore.

Then a start later, he would add another top-level stakes success in taking the July 6 Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park - despite Moore regretting his positioning of the heavy favorite by placing him middle of the course for the final run. Moore also reported that City of Troy lost momentum earlier in the race after taking an awkward step.

City of Troy battled to hold off the challenge of Al Riffa (FR) in the final furlong to score by a length.

The Coral-Eclipse earned him expense-paid opportunities to pursue one of two races on California Crown Day Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park if his connections can be lured to run him in the United States before the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

The colt, owned by Coolmore-affiliated connections, is likely to race in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at 1 1/2 miles on turf or the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Both races are Nov. 2 at Del Mar in Southern California. These connections also have Auguste Rodin (IRE) under consideration for those races.

Following the Coral-Eclipse, Coolmore's John Magnier expressed enthusiasm about trying the Classic, saying, "We enjoy trying to do something out of the ordinary."

City of Troy's sire, Justify, excelled on dirt, winning the 2018 Triple Crown.

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Ushba Tesoro

At age 7, Ushba Tesoro (JPN) is older than many of his counterparts pursuing the Nov. 2 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar but no less of a contender.

The veteran racehorse competed on turf early in his career before experiencing greater success once transferred to dirt. He won the 2022 Tokyo Daishoten and the 2023 Kawasaki Kinen before exhibiting his talent on the international stage by taking the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan Racecourse in March 2023.

This victory marked the first time since Victoire Pisa (JPN) in 2011 that a Japanese horse captured the race, and the first time that a Japanese horse won the Dubai World Cup since the race was switched from all-weather to dirt.

Given a break until September 2023, Ushba Tesoro then won the Nippon TV Hai before traveling to the United States and finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. He returned to action late in the year, winning the Tokyo Daishoten at Oi on Dec. 29.

For his achievements in 2023, he was awarded the JRA Special Award and the NAR Dirt Grade Race Special Award of the year.

Given more international opportunities in 2024, he returned to action in the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1), checking in second a head behind Senor Buscador, before another runner-up finish, this time in the March 30 Dubai World Cup behind runaway winner Laurel River. Ushba Tesoro edged Senor Buscador by a neck for the runner-up spot in Dubai.

With his massive earnings from lucrative international races, Ushba Tesoro surpassed Equinox (JPN) as the highest-earning horse in Japanese history. His Dubai World Cup earnings pushed his bankroll past $16 million.

A son of Orfevre (JPN), Ushba Tesoro is trained by Noboru Takagi for owner Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co.

Seize the Grey

Seize the Grey seized his moment this spring when racing in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes (G1), taking command at the start and defeating Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Mystik Dan in the breakout performance of his 3-year-old season.

But the race was not his only stellar effort as a 3-year-old. In March, he ran third in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park and his coming out party as a stakes-winning sophomore occurred in the Pat Day Mile presented by SAP (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs.

The final leg of the Triple Crown did not go Seize the Grey's way as he faded to finish seventh behind Dornoch in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga after setting the pace.

Then in a return appearance at Saratoga July 27, he finished fourth in the Jim Dandy Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (G2), this time after being rated early. He finished 12 lengths behind victorious Fierceness in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Seize the Grey is trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who is still flourishing his late 80s and showing the world he can win some of the most important races in North America. Seize the Grey gave him his seventh victory in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown and 15th Triple Crown win over his legendary career.

With Seize the Grey owned by the microshare partnership MyRacehorse, Lukas got to share the Preakness experience with hundreds of owners on-track, and even-more watching off-site. More than 2,500 MyRacehorse shareholders own a fractional interest in Seize the Grey.

A son of the late Arrogate out of the stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Smart Shopping, Seize the Grey's breeding rights were sold this summer to Gainesway, where he will stand at stud upon his retirement from racing.

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Dr. Venkman

Dr. Venkman has options after a 1-length victory in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) July 27 at Del Mar, a 1 1/16-mile race that marked the two-turn debut for the lightly raced 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper. The San Diego marked the fifth career start for Dr. Venkman, who finished second in his 2024 debut, the $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes (G2) for older horses at 7 furlongs June 1 at Santa Anita.

Dr. Venkman closed 2023 with a second-place finish in the $250,000 Perryville Stakes (Listed) for 3-year-olds at 7 furlongs on Oct. 21 at Keeneland. The Perryville, to date, is the only start outside California for Dr. Venkman, who is campaigned by trainer Mark Glatt and owners Dan Agnew, Clint Bunch, Mark Cohen and James Hailey.

Dr. Venkman began his career with consecutive victories at the 2023 Del Mar summer meet. Dr. Venkman, a Kentucky bred, is named for actor Bill Murray's character in the 1984 hit movie, "Ghostbusters."

Ghostzapper capped his 2004 Horse of the Year campaign with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). He has three Breeders' Cup victories as a sire. Dr. Venkman is the second stakes winner for his dam, Theory of Change, a daughter of 2011 Arkansas Derby champion Archarcharch. Glatt, as an agent, purchased Dr. Venkman for $105,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the consignment of Hidden Brook Farm, which bred the gelding in partnership with Ghostzapper Syndicate.

Glatt is winless in eight Breeders' Cup starts, but he finished second in the 2021 Sprint (G1) with Dr. Schivel, third in the 2017 Mile (G1) with Blackjackcat and third in the 2020 Dirt Mile (G1) with Sharp Samurai.

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Derma Sotogake

Before Japan's Forever Young (JPN) raced successfully in the Middle East before racing in this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Derma Sotogake (JPN) took that path a year earlier.

After winning three of six starts in Japan in 2022, Derma Sotogake ran third in the 2023 Saudi Derby Presented By Boutique Group (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and won the UAE Derby Sponsored By Atlantis The Royal (G2) in Dubai at Meydan Racecourse.

Then he took his talents to the United States, finishing sixth in the last year's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and after a six-month layoff, returned to finish second in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park, beaten a length by White Abarrio. Fourth early, he followed the winner's advance to take command but could not gain enough ground late to catch White Abarrio.

This year, Derma Sotogake also has competed on the international stage against much of the world's fastest dirt horses, running fifth in the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1) and sixth in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) at Meyda on March 30.

The 4-year-old chestnut was then given the rest of the first half of 2024 off in preparation for races later in the year, which could result in a return appearance at the World Championships, taking place this year at Del Mar. The Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic is a target for the Hiroyuki Asanuma-owned runner, who is trained by Hidetaka Otonashi.

Three years ago, when Del Mar last hosted the Breeders' Cup, the Japanese-trained Loves Only You (JPN) and Marche Lorraine (JPN) scored victories. Loves Only You won the Makers Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and Marche Lorraine the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Derma Sotogake is a 4-year-old son of Mind Your Biscuits, an American runner who ran second in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) in 2016, third in the same race at a year later, and 11th in the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2018.

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