When is the 2025 Breeders’ Cup? How to watch and the key trainers and jockeys to follow
Racing’s finest from across the globe — including major names from Britain, Ireland, France and Japan, will compete across 14 Championship races at the 2025 Breeders’ Cup, with more than $30 million (£25 million) in prize money on offer.
As another flat season draws to a close, Sports News Blitz looks at everything UK and international fans need to know about this year’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar Racecourse, California.
Horse racing news: William Hill applaud shrewd punter who turned tenner into nearly £50,000
William Hill have been hit by a remarkable weekend winner as one shrewd punter landed an each-way sixfold from just a £10 total stake, returning a cool £47,351.56.
The bet featured selections from Cheltenham, Doncaster, and Newbury, but unlike most big acca winners, only included one winning selection.
Horse racing news: Harry Bentley lands first Hong Kong Group 2 win in £500,000 Premier Bowl
Harry Bentley landed the biggest prize of his Hong Kong career to date as Tomodachi Kokoroe sensationally catapulted himself into LONGINES Hong Kong International Races reckoning after running the second-fastest 1200 metre time in Hong Kong racing history in the HK$5.35 million (approx. £500,000) G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (6f/1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday 26 October.
UK & Irish Flat season sees record HK$5.1 billion World Pool turnover
World Pool turnover has hit a new season-long high in the UK and Ireland, rising to HK$5.1bn following its conclusion on British Champions Day at Ascot last Saturday.
Horse racing news: Oisin Murphy lands £50,000 World Pool Jockeys’ Championship at Ascot
Oisin Murphy survived a flurry of final day shocks on British Champions Day at Ascot to win the second edition of the UK & Ireland World Pool Jockeys’ Championship and has chosen to split the £50,000 prize between the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Racing Welfare, with both charities set to receive £25,000 each.
In a competition that sees jockeys awarded points based on the winner’s World Pool Win odds, Murphy finished 25.45 points clear of Jamie Spencer, while Jason Watson snuck into the top five following his surprise victory on Cicero’s Gift.
Calandagan rated behind only Ka Ying Rising after Champion Stakes victory
Calandagan's performance in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday has been rated as the best in Europe this season by the experts at Timeform.
Horse racing news: William Hill become first headline sponsor of Cheltenham Showcase meeting
William Hill are delighted to announce their sponsorship of Cheltenham’s two-day Showcase meeting, becoming the first headline sponsor of the curtain-raiser event of the National Hunt season.
The meeting begins on Friday and sees the leading bookmaker launch the Jumps season alongside their backing of Saturday’s Group One Futurity Stakes at Doncaster and Sunday’s Old Roan Chase at Aintree.
Horse racing news: Champion-elect Oisin Murphy to split £50,000 between MNDA, Racing Welfare
Oisin Murphy will donate £25,000 to each of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and Racing Welfare should he keep his place at the top of the World Pool Jockeys’ Championship, which concludes on British Champions Day at Ascot this Saturday.
The four-time champion jockey holds a considerable 54.55-point lead over Kieran Shoemark, meaning Shoemark would have to ride a winner at World Pool odds of 54.60 and Murphy draw a blank in order for the Irishman to be passed.
Ka Ying Rising bids for The Everest glory as World Pool set to commingle record nine Group 1s this weekend
World Pool will host its biggest weekend composite card to date, comprising four meetings, 14 races - nine of them Group 1s - across three continents on Saturday 18 October and Sunday 19 October.
Amo Racing support Sussex equine charity after winning inaugural Star Sports Brighton Owners Series
Amo Racing will donate £5,000 to Hurstpierpoint-based equine interventions charity Parkfield Equine Solutions after winning the inaugural Star Sports Brighton Owners Series.
Parkfield Equine Solutions deliver intensive equine interventions for children, young people and adults to develop confidence, build life skills and improve their wellbeing.
Ka Ying Rising 9 lb clear at top of Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings for The Everest
Timeform's highest-rated horse in the world, Ka Ying Rising, heads into The Everest at Randwick on Saturday 9 lb clear on weight-adjusted ratings of the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar.
Gavin Cromwell: Stumptown set to miss Aintree for Cheltenham Festival defence
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell has revealed that Velka Pardubicka winner Stumptown is unlikely to run in this season’s Grand National, with the 2025 Cross Country hero set to be aimed at defending his Cheltenham Festival crown.
Gewan deserves to be considered leading Classic contender, say Timeform
Gewan may have sprung a 25/1 surprise in the Dewhurst, becoming the longest-priced winner of the race since Beethoven in 2009, but he produced the best two-year-old performance of the season, according to Timeform.
Horse racing news: David Hayes declares Ka Ying Rising ready to rumble after final pre-Everest gallop
David Hayes is “very confident” Ka Ying Rising is ready to fire in the G1 The Everest at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia on Saturday 18 October after the champion sprinter breezed through fast work on Monday.
Gavin Cromwell: Pardubice test will suit Stumptown
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell is confident in Stumptown’s ability to handle the unique test of the Velka Pardubicka this Sunday.
Horse racing news: World Pool to debut on Dewhurst Stakes and Might and Power Days
World Pool will return to action on Saturday, October 11 with two new fixtures for 2025; Dewhurst Stakes Day from Newmarket and Might and Power Stakes Day from Caulfield.
A total of 12 races, seven from Australia and five from the UK, will be globally commingled on the day forming a top-class composite card that features four Group 1s and six other Group races.
Horse racing news: Ka Ying Rising "needs to improve" following trial
David Hayes expects Ka Ying Rising to improve significantly ahead of G1 The Everest (6f/1200m) on 18 October after the world’s highest-rated sprinter finished third under Zac Purton in a 1000m barrier trial at Royal Randwick in Sydney this morning (7 October).
Daryz surpasses Field Of Gold and Ombudsman to top European rankings
Daryz's victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp has been rated as the best performance in Europe this season by the experts at Timeform.
Horse racing news: Calandagan would top Arc ratings if geldings allowed to line up, says Timeform
The rule prohibiting geldings from competing in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has once again impacted the quality of the race, according to Timeform.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s King George winner Calandagan would top Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings for the Arc were he allowed to compete, while his stablemate Goliath and the globe-trotting Rebel’s Romance would also be among the top 10 in this year’s line-up.
William Hill backs grassroots Irish racing with new series sponsorship
William Hill has further signalled their backing of Irish racing with sponsorship of the new William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series. Beginning on October 3 at Gowran Park, the series will run over seven months until April 2026, spread across 50 races at 28 meetings across 13 Irish racecourses.