The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic is quick approaching, and the thrill is constructing for one of the vital prestigious races on the planet of horse racing. With an enormous $7 million purse at stake, this yr’s occasion is ready to characteristic an distinctive discipline of contenders from throughout the globe.
From defending champions to rising stars, the 2024 Basic guarantees to ship an exciting competitors crammed with pace, stamina, and technique. Under, we’ll have a look at the highest 5 contenders it’s best to watch as they put together to battle for victory at Del Mar.
Dornoch (USA)
Dornoch Stays on the Prime of Breeders Cup 2024 Basic Contender Rankings. Dornoch, co-owned by retired MLB star Jayson Werth and companions, made a robust comeback in the summertime of 2024 after off-the-board finishes within the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1).
The tenacious three-year-old triumphed within the Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 20 after profitable the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 8. These wins solidified his place as a high contender for the Breeders’ Cup Basic, incomes him an automated berth within the $7 million race on November 2 at Del Mar.
Dornoch’s pace and resilience have been evident as he overcame challenges from rivals like Mindframe and Sierra Leone. His media publicity, bolstered by Werth’s involvement, has highlighted the thrill of horse possession. Sired by Good Magic, who gained the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Dornoch can be a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage.
Arthur’s Journey (USA)
Arthur’s Journey started his racing profession as a 2-year-old in 2022 with two second-place finishes at Saratoga earlier than securing his maiden victory in his third begin as a 3-year-old at Gulfstream Park on February 11, 2023.
After a year-long layoff, he returned in 2024 as a 4-year-old and shortly rose from allowance non-obligatory claiming races to a Grade 1 winner. Arthur’s Journey gained a one-mile race at Gulfstream Park by a formidable 7 1/2 lengths on March 16 and adopted up with a dominant wire-to-wire victory by 12 3/ez4 lengths at Saratoga on June 7.
He then stepped as much as Grade 1 competitors within the $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on August 3, the place he led from the beginning and gained by 2 1/4 lengths over a 10-horse discipline, together with favorite Nationwide Treasure. Arthur’s Journey, skilled by Invoice Mott and bred in Florida, is by Tapit out of Factors of Grace by Level Given.
Fierceness (USA)
Fierceness, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champion, is focusing on the $7 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1) at Del Mar on November 2, 2024.
After a combined begin to his 3-year-old season, he confirmed brilliance once more with a dominant win within the March 30 Curlin Florida Derby (G1). Nonetheless, a poor begin within the Kentucky Derby noticed him fade to fifteenth.
Following a break, Fierceness rebounded to win the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on July 27, showcasing his potential as a high contender. Corridor of Fame coach Todd Pletcher famous that Fierceness thrives with extra time between races, and jockey John Velazquez praised his efficiency as “unbelievable.”
A homebred for Repole Steady, Fierceness is sired by Metropolis of Mild and out of Nonna Bella, displaying promise for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Basic.
Eternally Younger (JPN)
A Japanese-bred thoroughbred racehorse, Eternally Younger gained his identify by profitable a number of races, such because the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun and JBC Nisai Yushun in 2023, after which the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby in 2024.
His undefeated streak ended with an in depth third-place end in a photograph end on the one hundred and fiftieth Kentucky Derby, narrowly dropping to Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone. Bred at Northern Farm in Hokkaido, Japan, Eternally Younger was foaled on February 24, 2021.
He was bought on the JRHA Choose Sale for ¥98,000,000 (roughly $893,000) by Susumu Fujita and skilled by Yoshito Yahagi.
Sierra Leone (USA)
Sierra Leone, a standout 3-year-old in North America, confirmed his stakes potential in 2023 when he narrowly missed victory within the Remsen Stakes (G2). In 2024, he gained his first two races, taking the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and the Risen Star Stakes (G2).
He continued his sturdy type with second within the Kentucky Derby and third within the Belmont Stakes. Within the Derby, he was only a nostril behind winner Mystik Dan, although a bump with Eternally Younger might have impacted each horses’ performances.
Coach Chad Brown adjusted techniques earlier than the Belmont, together with altering bits and switching to jockey Flavien Prat, however Sierra Leone completed third behind his rival Dornoch. Returning within the Jim Dandy Stakes, Sierra Leone closed effectively to put second, a size behind Fierceness.
He was bought for $2.3 million in 2022 and is owned by a strong group, together with Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor. He was bred by Debby Oxley.
Last Phrases
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Basic guarantees to be an electrifying occasion. Prime contenders like Dornoch, Arthur’s Journey, Fierceness, Eternally Younger, and Sierra Leone will battle for victory. With a mixture of rising stars and seasoned champions, this race will showcase the very best in pace, technique, and willpower on a world stage.
