The Breeders’ Cup might not be the longest-running horse racing event, but it is one of the most awaited yearly. It’s known to be the most popular and richest horse racing event, with purse money that reaches $31 Million this year.
Now that we are nearing this year’s Breeders’ Cup, many fans and bettors alike are excited about the event, expecting it to become one of the best races in the Breeders’ Cup history. That said, let’s walk down memory lane and discuss the five of the most memorable moments in the history of the Breeders’ Cup.
1984: Wild Again’s Inaugural Breeders’ Cup Classic
The first and most memorable moment in Breeders’ Cup history that’s worth talking about is the 1984 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The 1984 race lived up to the expectations of fans and experts for a championship race day when the contenders showcased the most exciting thoroughbred racing and provided the spectators with a sensational finish. That said, it’s the same energy and thrill the fans expect to witness with the breeders cup 2023 contenders.
The attendance on that day reached 64,000 while millions of fans watched live on their television via the NBC channel. Fans are looking forward to the race because it was a showdown between the previous year’s champion, Slew o’Gold, and the reigning Champion of the Preakness Stakes Gate Dancer.
But the headlines were dominated by Wild Again, from the Black Chip Stable as the longshot contender running on the race that day. Wild Again’s owner pays approximately $360,000 just to get a spot for Wild Again in the 1984 Breeders’ Cup race. Unexpectedly, the horse that was just launched that day ends up winning it.
2010: Blame Defeated the Reigning Champion Zenyatta
Even though Zenyatta’s supporters were devastated that their idol fell short, they had to find comfort in knowing they had just witnessed one of the most exciting horse races ever. Boy vs. girl.
It was a crazy finish from a thoroughbred that looked fatally outmatched three furlongs from the finish line, with an undefeated record on the line and $5 million up for grabs. That race had it all, which makes it one of the best.
Zenyatta won the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic and attempted to win a back-to-back Breeders’ Cup title. But unfortunately, the reigning Champion falls to Blame by a head. Zenyatta is one of the most popular thoroughbreds in the history of the Breeders’ Cup as the first female thoroughbred to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
But Blame didn’t back down and successfully dethroned the Queen of Racing in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Blame was also a successful thoroughbred who won 8 races out of the 12 he joined.
With the talent and strength of Blame, plus the strategic approach of his Jockey, Garett Gomez, the team took home the title of the 2010 Breeders’ Cup despite how strong their opponents were.
1988: Personal Ensign Dominated Distaff and Retired Undefeated
In the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Personal Ensign proved to the public that perfection is attainable by showing his most dramatic victory. It was indeed a race that lived up to the expectations of the spectators.
With his performance and victory on the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Personal Ensign retired undefeated, proving his perfection. It wasn’t an easy race as Personal Ensign faced Winning Colors, the Kentucky Derby winner of that year.
Winning Colors also made his name in the horse racing industry as she is the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby race in history. Unfortunately, she was defeated by Personal Ensign and finished the race in third place.
2015: American Pharoah Finished Grand Slam in Classic
The American Pharoah is one of the most popular thoroughbreds in history. He is the 12th Triple Crown winner, an elusive title that only the best of the best will achieve. He was also the first racehorse to win the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing when he won the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
It was an obvious win as American Pharoah initially led the race. The thoroughbred and his rider, Victor Espinoza, didn’t allow even a tiny opportunity for their contenders to surpass them. That puts the 2015 Breeders’ Cup on the most memorable races in the history of the Breeders’ Cup.
2009: Classic (Zenyatta)
It’s safe to say that a horse racing fan, expert, or even a bettor’s favorite Breeders’ Cup in history is the 2009 Classic, where Zenyatta outperformed her contenders. With her talent and skills, and with the help of her team, especially her trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith, Zenyatta became the first filly to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
She was also the first racehorse to win two Breeders’ Cup races, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic and the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic. That’s why Zenyatta was named the Queen of Race.
The 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic became the race that solidified her greatness, putting her in the Breeders’ Cup Hall of Champions. Not just an ordinary champion, Zenyatta is one of the most unforgettable champions of the said racing event.
Final Words
Each year, the Breeders’ Cup race provides a unique experience for the spectators. However, there are some instances where the race offers results that are worthy to be remembered forever. Many races in the Breeders’ Cup history are worth remembering, but the five mentioned are the most important events.
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