Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Expands to Record 49 International Races

In its 19th season, the Win and You’re In program adds new qualifiers and will span 15 countries

Forever Young Earns Classic Berth With Saudi Cup Victory / JCSA

LEXINGTON, Kentucky– (Special to Turf Diario). Breeders’ Cup Limited announced Thursday that the 2025 edition of the Win and You’re In Challenge Series will feature a record 49 international races, held at premier racetracks in 15 countries, underscoring the continued global expansion of the program.

Through the traditional “Win and You’re In” system, horses from around the world can secure automatic, expenses-paid berths into corresponding races at the 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to be held Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California.

Now in its 19th season, the Challenge Series continues to expand its global footprint, with 93 qualifying events scheduled in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dubai, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States, and Uruguay.

“International competition remains a cornerstone of the Breeders’ Cup, and the Challenge Series continues to be the premier gateway for horsemen around the world to access the Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “We are grateful for the continued support of racing authorities and organizations across five continents, which is key to the success of this series. We look forward to another memorable edition of the Championships at Del Mar.”

As an added incentive, Breeders’ Cup will offer a record $6.51 million in free pre-entry and entry fees for qualified horses that are nominated before the pre-entry deadline of October 20. Travel allowances will also be provided—$10,000 for runners based in North America outside of California and $40,000 for international shippers.

The 2025 Challenge Series kicked off in December 2024, when Intense For Me (Fortify) earned the first berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) with a win in the G1 Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini at San Isidro, Argentina.

In January, Double Grand Slam (Vercingetorix) secured a spot in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) by taking the G1 Cartier Paddock Stakes in South Africa, while compatriot One Stripe (One World) landed the G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, qualifying for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).

In Saudi Arabia, sprint star Straight No Chaser (Speightster) earned a return trip to the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) with a victory in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, while Forever Young (Real Steel) secured the first berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) by winning the G1 Saudi Cup. Japan’s Costa Nova (Lord Kanaloa) later claimed the second Classic spot by capturing the G1 February Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse.

Four additional automatic berths were awarded on April 5 at Meydan in Dubai:

• Hit Show (Candy Ride), winner of the G1 Dubai World Cup, qualified for the Classic.

• Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) earned a Turf berth with a win in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

• Soul Rush (Rulership), victorious in the G1 Dubai Turf, secured a spot in the Mile.

• Dark Saffron (Flameaway), the surprise winner of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, qualified for the Sprint.

The next international qualifier will be the G1 Gran Premio Criadores, scheduled for May 1 at Palermo Racecoursein Argentina, offering a berth into the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).