Del Mar Prepares for Back-to-Back Breeders’ Cups

The Breeders’ Cup, which brings together the best race horses and jockeys in the world, is headed to where the “Turf Meets the Surf” the next two years.

That tagline for Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is meant literally, as the racetrack that sits 20 miles north of San Diego is situated hundreds of feet from the Pacific Ocean. It’s a venue that every horse racing fan and sports fan in general should have on their bucket list. And for the next two years, it’ll host an event that brings in nearly $100 million of economic impact for San Diego County.

“We’re fired up to welcome back the Breeders’ Cup to Del Mar next month and are anticipating another full house for a can’t miss event,” said Mark Neville, Sports San Diego chief executive officer. “When Del Mar hosted the Breeders’ Cup before Covid in 2017, the event generated $96.8 million in total economic impact for the community according to the Sports Management Research Institute.”

Del Mar has been chosen to host the 41st Breeders’ Cup, which will take place November 1–2, as well as securing the 2025 edition. It’s the first time the event has been held in consecutive years at a single location since Santa Anita hosted from 2012–2014.

Del Mar’s facility underwent an extensive expansion of its luxury seating options for its first Breeders’ Cup in 2017 which resulted in a record-breaking, two-day on-track wagering mark. The 2021 edition took place during the pandemic and saw fans allowed into the track in limited numbers. This year, it’s full steam ahead with nearly 40,000 people packed into the venue both days.

“We’re thrilled to have the Breeders’ Cup World Championships back at Del Mar in 2024 and for a consecutive run in 2025,” said Josh Rubinstein, president and chief operating officer of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. “It is an honor to host an event of this caliber — bringing international audiences and substantial economic impact to our community. We look forward to its return and building upon our record-breaking successes hosting the event in 2017 and 2021.”

The Breeders’ Cup is a big money event in every facet. The 14 races held over the two days will pay out a total purse of $33 million to those fortunate enough to find the winner’s circle. The cheapest general admission ticket goes for north of $350, with reserved seats above $700. Fans traveling in from all over the world for the event will clearly have some cash to spend while in San Diego County.

Most hotels in the Del Mar area are sold out for the weekend, with the few rooms that are available hovering around $500 per night.

“Tourism is the second largest driver of our economy in San Diego and events like the Breeders’ Cup are crucially important to the hospitality community, particularly during shoulder seasons like November,” said Neville. “Not only will the event put heads in beds, it will also help bring visitors to restaurants, museums and attractions throughout the County.”

California has established a bit of a monopoly over the Breeders’ Cup. Eight of the previous 12 events have been either at Del Mar or Santa Anita, east of Los Angeles. The next two years will make it 10 of the past 14.

“Our return to Del Mar in back-to-back years marks the continuation of a wonderful collaboration and successful partnership, both with our friends at the track and with the greater San Diego area, demonstrating our continued commitment to California horse racing,” Drew Fleming, president and chief executive officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited, said in a press release. “We look forward to once again gathering where the turf meets the surf as the world’s best thoroughbreds put on an incredible show.”