Breeders' Cup Winners

Known to millions of horse racing fans as the best and richest thoroughbred event of the year, the Breeders' Cup Championship taking place on October 24 and 25, 2008 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park brings together the world's best horses to compete in 14 thrilling races.

In addition to the Classic, there are Breeders' Cup winners for the Juvenile and the Juvenile Fillies for females ages three and up; the Sprint, the Mile, and the Turf.

Sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and held annually since 1984, the Breeders' Cup Championship marks the end of the thoroughbred horse racing season for fans, but a final shot at ultimate glory for the horses.

"Championship day is unquestionably racing's finest hour," says John R. Gaines, founding father of the Breeders' Cup and former owner of Gainesway Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. "It defines our reason for being and elevates the spirit of an entire industry."

Although there have been many memorable moments in Breeders' Cup Championship history, a number of Breeders' Cup winners stand out:

1988 Breeders' Cup Winner Personal Ensign

Personal Ensign began her racing career as a two-year-old in 1986 and won her maiden race, but a bone fracture cut short her two-year-old season shortly before the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Returning to the races late in her three-year-old year, Personal Ensign resumed her winning ways, taking four more races including a nose victory over Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.

1991 Breeders' Cup Winner Arazi

Juvenile: The French 2-year-old phenomenon Arazi, making his first American and first dirt start, broke slowly from post 14 and looked as if he might be humiliated as he languished near the back of the field. Heading into the far turn, however, he uncorked an explosive move that sent him to the lead with three-sixteenths of a mile to go.

1995 Breeders' Cup Winner Cigar

A product of Maryland's oldest thoroughbred breeding farm, Cigar is the grandson of The Minstrel who was the son of the greatest sire of the second half of the 20th century, Northern Dancer. Out of the mare Solar Slew, who in turn was a daughter of the 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, Cigar had the credentials to become a great race horse, but it took a few years for his greatness to materialize.

Bet on a Breeders' Cup winner at Bodog Racebook

1995 Breeders' Cup Winner Mariah's Storm

Mariah's Storm was quickly building points towards a bid in the 1993 Breeder's Cup-in which she would have been one of the favorites-when she suddenly fractured a left front cannon bone in the Alcibiades Stakes. An injury that severe could have ended her career, but her owners and trainers did not lose faith. In 1995, Mariah's Storm won the 1995 Turfway Breeder's Cup, upsetting the favorite, Serena's Song. The movie, "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story", is based on Mariah's Storm ("Sonador") determined climb from injury to victory.

2000 and 2001 Breeders' Cup Winner Tiznow

The only two-time winner of the Breeder's Cup Classic, Tiznow was noted for his incredible toughness on the dirt. At age 3 Tiznow won the Breeders' Cup Classic, beating Irish champion Giant's Causeway and Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. When he was 4, Tiznow again won the Breeders' Cup Classic, beating Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sakhee.

2006 Breeders' Cup Winner Invasor

Even though he had not raced in over three months, Invasor proved he was good and ready to win the 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic in 2:02.18 for 1 ¼ miles on the fast main track. Favorite Bernardini placed second, 2 ½ lengths ahead of third place winner Premium Tap. The $5 million Classic win made Invasor's jockey Jara, 18, the youngest rider to win a Breeders' Cup race.

2007 Breeders' Cup Winner Curlin

In what was billed as a battle between Street Sense, who had won the 2007 Kentucky Derby, the 2007 Breeders' Cup was won in dramatic fashion by Curlin, who had won the 2007 Preakness Stakes. Curlin would also go on to win 2007 Horse of the Year, and then the 2008 Dubai World Cup.

Breeders' Cup winner odds at the Bodog Racebook

More articles from the Breeders' Cup Betting Guide:

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