The Breeders’ Cup is considered the World Championships in horse racing, with the leading thoroughbreds from around the world competing in their respective divisions. This year’s renewal looks set to be one of the best yet, as the races are shaping up to be very competitive.
Here is a look at some early tips for this year’s meeting in Del Mar, California.
City Of Troy to Win Breeders’ Cup Classic
The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the feature race at the Breeders’ Cup Championship, and with it being a dirt contest, it is often dominated by North American horses. However, the leading contender this year is Derby winner City Of Troy, who is trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien.
What a comeback! City Of Troy lands the Derby! pic.twitter.com/zRnjnX63nE
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 1, 2024
At +800 in today’s racing odds, the Epsom hero tops the betting to give his trainer a first victory in the Classic. He deserves that position in the betting, as he has the speed and stamina to excel at Del Mar.
City Of Troy has been one of the leading horse racing tips for the Breeders’ Cup feature ever since his trainer announced the race in November was his primary target for the rest of the year. He is likely to have at least one prep run on dirt before then, with the Travers Stakes at Saratoga an option for the European contender.
Idiomatic Can Defend Her Crown in Breeders’ Cup Distaff
In what was the perfect way to cap off an excellent season, Idiomatic won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Santa Anita last November. It was her third straight Grade One success, proving why she is regarded as the leading mare on dirt.
Brad Cox’s runner is set to defend her crown this year, and she will take some beating again. She made a winning return to action in the Grade One La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs back in May.
Only four horses in history have won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff more than once, with Monomoy Girl the latest to do so in 2020. Idiomatic should relish the course at Del Mar and give her trainer another major victory at the meeting.
Auguste Rodin The One to Beat in Breeders’ Cup Turf
Last season’s leading three-year-old in Europe was Auguste Rodin. Not only did the Irish horse win the Derby at Epsom and the Irish Championship Stakes at Leopardstown, but he traveled across to North America to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Auguste Rodin holds them all off to win the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 19, 2024
Ryan Moore and Aiden O’Brien are at it again!#ITVRacing | #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/B8ONKd0oFe
Now at the age of four, Auguste Rodin remains one of the leading middle-distance horses on turf. He proved that when landing the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on his most recent appearance.
O’Brien has dominated the Breeders’ Cup Turf over the last decade, with a record seven victories to his name. His latest colt could end his career as one of the best horses the future Hall of Famer has trained.
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Championship takes place between November 1-2. There will be a series of qualification races across the world before then to give horses the opportunity to book their spot at the meeting.
