The Breeders’ Cup World Championships pits the top horses from around the world against each other in the ultimate showdown to finish out the year in horse racing.
NBC Sports is home to the 39th Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Coverage begins on Friday, Nov. 4 from 2 to 6 p.m. ET on USA Network and resumes on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 pm ET on USA Network before jumping to NBC and Peacock from 3:30 to 6 p.m. ET.
Here’s everything you need to know about racing’s grand finale at Keeneland:
Related: From experiment to history: The history of the Breeders’ Cup
What is the Breeders’ Cup World Championships?
The Breeders’ Cup is horse racing’s last hurrah of the year. Horses from around the globe will compete in 14 races over two days, with the Breeders’ Cup Classic closing out the weekend. Friday will see some of the most promising young horses run in five juvenile races. On Saturday, many of the richest horses, trainers and jockeys face off in nine championship races, including the weekend’s marquee race, the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.
The Breeders’ Cup originated in 1984 as a year-end championship for North American Thoroughbred horses and their breeders. The brainchild of the late John Gaines, the former owner of Gainesway Farm, the Breeders’ Cup was built by Thoroughbred breeders, for Thoroughbred breeders.
Related: What to know about the 2022 Breeders’ Cup
Where is the Breeders’ Cup?
The Breeders’ Cup changes tracks every year, with Keeneland hosting for the third time in seven years. Located in Lexington, Ky., Keeneland is designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark for its role in the growth of horse racing and is considered one of the best tracks in the entire country.
When is the 2022 Breeders’ Cup?
The Breeders’ Cup runs from November 4-5. Friday’s coverage goes from 2 to 6 p.m. ET, and Saturday’s coverage runs from 1 to 6 p.m. ET. Post time for the Breeders’ Cup Classic is tentatively set for 5:40 p.m ET.
How to watch Breeders’ Cup:
NBC Sports is home to the 2022 Breeders’ Cup, providing comprehensive race coverage and analysis live on TV, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app and Peacock before, during and after. Coverage kicks off with Future Stars Friday on November 4, from 2 to 6 p.m. ET on USA Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. NBC Sports will resume coverage the following day on USA Network, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET, with the broadcast jumping to NBC and Peacock from 3:30-6 p.m. ET.
When does each Breeders’ Cup race begin?
Below is every Breeders’ Cup World Championships race in the order they will be run, along with approximate post times.
Friday, Nov. 4 schedule
- Juvenile Turf Sprint (Post time: 3:00 p.m. ET) - $1 million purse
- Juvenile Fillies (Post time: 3:40 p.m. ET) - $2 million purse
- Juvenile Fillies Turf (Post time: 4:20 p.m. ET) - $1 million purse
- Juvenile (Post time: 5:00 p.m. ET) - $2 million purse
- Juvenile Turf (Post time: 5:40 p.m. ET) - $1 million purse
Saturday, Nov. 5 schedule
- Filly and Mare Sprint (Post time: 11:50 a.m. ET) - $1 million purse
- Turf Sprint (Post time: 12:29 p.m. ET) - $1 million purse
- Dirt Mile (Post time: 1:10 p.m. ET) - $1 million purse
- Filly and Mare Turf (Post time: 1:50 p.m. ET) - $2 million purse
- Sprint (Post time: 2:30 p.m. ET) - $2 million purse
- Mile (Post time: 3:10 p.m. ET) - $2 million purse
- Distaff (Post time: 3:55 p.m. ET) - $2 million purse
- Turf (Post time: 4:40 p.m. ET) - $4 million purse
- Classic (Post time: 5:40 p.m. ET) - $6 million purse
Watch NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2022 Breeders’ Cup starting with Future Stars Friday on Nov. 4 from 2-6 p.m. ET (USA Network) and continuing with Championship Saturday on Nov. 5 from 1-6 p.m. ET (NBCSN until 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC from 3:30-6 p.m. ET).
Big Event Weekend on NBC and Peacock - November 5th and 6th
It’s a weekend of must-watch events on NBC and Peacock. Tune in to the Breeders’ Cup Saturday, November 5th at 3:30pm Eastern, followed by Notre Dame Football taking on Clemson at home and Amy Schumer hosting Saturday Night Live. The action continues Sunday, November 6th with the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at 3 p.m. and the Titans battling the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football starting at 7 p.m., all on NBC and Peacock.
