The Breeders’ Cup provided more evidence of increased interest in racing during the 2025 season as NBC Sports reported strong ratings. Beyond those viewers, it’s important to remember that fans reach this event through a number of other outlets.
NBC Sports reports its Breeders’ Cup Saturday audience increased 18% when compared with the 2024 World Championships. In a social media post, it noted that the Saturday (Nov. 1) Breeders’ Cup broadcast from Del Mar anchored by the $7 million Longines Classic delivered a total reach of 6 million viewers.
“Viewership for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on NBC peaked at 1.4 million viewers from 6:15-6:30 p.m. (ET) as Forever Young ran to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic,” said an NBC spokesperson. “In addition, average viewership for the 3:30-7 p.m. (ET) show across NBC and Peacock was 950,000, up 6% from 2024 (896,000).”
The strong numbers continue a trend that saw the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve deliver 17.7 million viewers to NBC and Peacock – a record for the 25 years NBC has covered the Derby and the largest since 1989. The numbers were up 6% from last year.
Without Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty running in the Preakness Stakes, ratings numbers dipped a bit for that race, but strong interest continued. The Triple Crown closed on a stronger note as 3.83 million viewers watched the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets, up 4.6% from 2024.
Factors that helped increase interest include the new audience influencer Griffin Johnson helped bring to racing this year as well as a compelling group of stakes horses, including dual classic winner Sovereignty, heading a strong group of 3-year-olds and the deepest handicap division the sport has seen in years. Fans tuned in to see the horses they’d come to know in previous racing seasons.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, Forever Young, and runner-up, Sierra Leone, each placed in the 2024 Kentucky Derby before Sierra Leone won the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic and Forever Young finished third in that race. The runner-up from the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, Fierceness, finished third this year. Fans had followed Fierceness since he nailed down champion 2-year-old male honors with his victory in the 2023 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA.
This year is a reminder, in case one is needed, that top horses bring people to the sport.
One thing BloodHorse has been trying to add to these ratings numbers is that the television and streaming platforms are just part of the story. Many horseplayers watch the simulcast of the Breeders’ Cup at their favorite tracks or on their favorite wagering platforms. Breeders’ Cup estimates an additional 300,000 viewers tuned into races of the two-day championships through FanDuel TV’s platforms alone.
While Breeders’ Cup is still compiling all the consumption data, it reports that the social media livestreams of its Players’ Show had more than 1.1 million views for the two days across YouTube, Facebook, and X channels. The Players Show provides more handicapping information than the NBC broadcast and is a separate production.
And let’s remember the World Championships are an international event with a worldwide audience. Over the past few years, Breeders’ Cup has expanded its live distribution to make viewing the event more accessible to racing fans around the world. The 2025 feed was distributed live to more than 180 territories around the world, including ITV, Sky Sports, and RacingTV in the United Kingdom, and Abema TV, Green Channel, and Netkieba in Japan. Other parts of the world to pick up the signal included: Abu Dhabi Media and Dubai Racing Channel (MENA) in the Middle East and SuperSport in Africa.
Additional outlets in Asia included FanCode (India) and WeDo Asia (Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar). Viewers in Australia tuned in through Racing.com, while Reuters (News), Sport24 (Airlines), and TransWorld Sports (Magazine Show) provided global coverage.
HBA Media delivered a 90-minute show for international audiences.
“The Breeders’ Cup sits as the cornerstone of international racing, and we’re proud to help bring its stories, stars, and atmosphere to fans across the globe,” said HBA Media chief executive Frank Sale ahead of this year’s World Championships. “With record commercial returns and distribution through HBA, this year’s broadcast reflects the truly global appeal of the event – live coverage in over 180 territories – ensuring that both racing and sport enthusiasts around the world can share in two days of world-class sport at its very best.”
