Breeders’ Cup 2026 to return to Keeneland with record entries

The 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships are scheduled to take place at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 30 and 31. The event features 14 Grade 1 races with total purses and awards exceeding $34 million (£25.5 million).

Participation has reached record levels with 255 pre-entries representing 222 individual horses, including 79 international contenders. High-profile matchups are expected in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, where Japan’s defending champion Forever Young is slated to face American challengers such as Sovereignty, Golden Tempo, and Magnitude.

This marks the fourth time Keeneland has hosted the championships, following previous iterations in 2015, 2020, and 2022. The venue has a history of hosting legendary performances, including American Pharoah’s 2015 Classic win and Flightline’s undefeated 2022 victory.