Registration has opened for Thoroughbred racing's biggest live-money handicapping tournament, the 2026 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge ("BCBC").
The BCBC, now in its 18th year, annually attracts top horseplayers from across North America and will crown its winner based on the highest accumulated bankroll at the conclusion of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships. This year's World Championships will be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. To register and view complete 2026 rules and information, visit BreedersCup.com/BCBC.
The 2026 BCBC total cash prize pool is expected to be $1.5 million, based upon a minimum of 600 players registered. Players may participate in the BCBC from Keeneland or from the official satellite location at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. Players may also participate online at TVG.com―the official wagering partner of the Breeders' Cup―and via Keeneland Select, Xpressbet.com, Twinspires.com, NYRABets.com (non-New York State residents only), 4NJBets.com (New Jersey residents only), and HPIbet.com (Canadian residents only).
For the 2026 BCBC, a $2,500 buy-in and $7,500 betting bankroll ($10,000 total) are required of each player. All buy-in monies are applied to the prize pool. Players can bet into the Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, and Daily Double pools with their $7,500 bankroll over the two days of the World Championships and keep all monies earned from their wagering.
"The Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge brings together some of the most accomplished horseplayers in the country for two days of high-stakes competition at the World Championships," said Tim Schram, BCBC Tournament Director. "Following a record-setting BCBC in 2025, we're looking forward to welcoming players to Keeneland and providing horseplayers across North America with the opportunity to compete in one of the sport's premier handicapping tournaments."
Horseplayers can also earn free entry into the BCBC by winning a Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge qualifying contest. Visit BreedersCup.com/BCBC for details on upcoming live qualifying contests and HorsePlayers.com for information on online qualifying contests.
The 2025 BCBC at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club established new records across several key measures, attracting 643 entries, surpassing the previous record of 585 set in 2024, and generating approximately $8.9 million in total wagering handle. Nearly $4.5 million was wagered on-site at Del Mar, accounting for approximately 23% of the track's total on-track handle during the World Championships. The tournament also produced an average wagering handle of $13,846 per entry, the highest mark since 2014.
Dave Smyth, a financial planner from Lexington captured the 2025 BCBC title with a dramatic late surge. Sitting in 45th place entering the final race with a bankroll of $19,000, Smyth connected on an $8,000 Daily Double featuring Nysos in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Gezora (FR) in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), vaulting him to the top of the leaderboard. Smyth finished with a $144,800 final bankroll and earned $607,800 in total from his victory.
