2023 Breeders’ Cup Attendance Up, Handle Down

[Wandering Eyes]

Total all-sources, global common-pool handle for the Nov. 3-4 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita was $176,281,989, the lowest number since 2020, the same year live Breeders' Cup races at Keeneland had no reported attendance due to COVID-19. At the same time, attendance of 109,624 for the two-day event in 2023 was the highest of the past five years. Breeders' Cup Limited released the numbers late Saturday evening.

“Racing fans here and from around the world were treated to two days of the very best of our sport, including three repeat champions,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “The 40th running of the Breeders' Cup was certainly worthy of the vision of its founders, who set out to create one of the most prestigious international events in our sport. We want to thank all of the weekend's participants, our sponsors, the communities of Arcadia and Pasadena, and our partners from 1/ST racing for their support.”

All-sources, common-pool handle on Saturday's 12-race Breeders' Cup card was $114,145,050, while the all-sources, common-pool handle for the 10-race 'Future Stars Friday' card was $62,136,939. The latter did not count Friday's 'All-Turf Pick 3′ special. On-track handle for the two days was $19,419,844. The total all-sources, common-pool handle of $176,281,989 was down from $189,060,373 last year and $182,908,409 in 2021. However, it was up slightly from the $174,628,986 when the event was last held at Santa Anita in 2019.

Saturday's on-track attendance was 66,247; Friday's was 43,377. The combined attendance of 109,624 was the highest since the Breeders' Cup was held at Churchill Downs in 2019 with an attendance of 112,672 and was up slightly from the 109,054 the last time the event was staged at Santa Anita in 2019.

The Breeders' Cup World Championships will return to California in 2024 and will be held at Del Mar.

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