The 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships officially kicked off on Friday, October 31, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California. This prestigious event featured 10 Grade I races within the juvenile division, with total purses exceeding $34 million. These races showcased the rising stars of the horse-racing world, with two-year-olds competing on both dirt and turf, and early post-times beginning at 11:35 a.m. PT.
The opening day of the Breeders’ Cup program drew elite trainers, jockeys, and participants from around the globe, reinforcing the event’s reputation as one of the most prestigious in the horse-racing calendar. Friday’s races were eagerly anticipated as the beginning of a weekend of high-stakes competition, with the juvenile division races offering fans a first look at some of the sport’s promising young horses.
Locally, the Breeders’ Cup event contributed significantly to the economy of the San Diego North County coast. The influx of visitors to the area led to increased hotel bookings, hospitality activity, and retail business. Observers noted that while the races themselves were the focal point, the broader economic impact from the surrounding events was also a key driver for local businesses, particularly in the hospitality and dining sectors. The Breeders’ Cup has long been recognized as a catalyst for tourism in Southern California, and this year was no exception, with the region seeing heightened tourism activity throughout the weekend.
Looking ahead to Saturday, the marquee event—the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic—was set to take center stage, along with other championship races. However, Friday’s juvenile races were a thrilling start to what promised to be a marquee weekend for both racing fans and the Southern California tourism industry. The event brought together the best in thoroughbred racing and provided an exciting spectacle for fans, all while contributing to the region’s bustling economy.
As the weekend unfolded, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club continued to be the epicenter of one of the most prestigious events in horse racing, with all eyes on the championship races set to wrap up on Saturday, marking the official conclusion of a weekend full of competition, excitement, and community impact.
