Breeders’ Cup Turf 2026 Preview: Runners Guide, Odds & Tips

The Breeders’ Cup Turf is a Grade 1 run over a 1m4f and is often renowned as the most prestigious race on turf at the meeting. Currently there are 20 entries for the race run at Keeneland on Saturday 31st October at 21:36 which has a maximum field of 14.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Winners, Trends & Stats

• 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least 2 wins that season
• 10 of the previous 12 winners had already run over this 1m4f trip
• 9 of the previous 12 winners had already won a Group/Grade 1 race
• 9 of the previous 12 winners were aged 4 or older
• 9 of the previous 12 winners won on their previous start
   

Breeders’ Cup Turf Runners Guide

DIAMOND NECKLACE

Three-year-old filly who has won 6 of her 8 starts and placed on the other two occasions. She was an impressive winner of the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood before losing her unbeaten record in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville. Her 3 rd placed finish in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on her first attempt over this 1m4f trip from a wide draw was arguably a career best and a repeat of that run will see her go close.

BAY CITY ROLLER

Consistent four-year-old who has form figures of 221223 this season. The George Scott trained colt relished the testing ground at Epsom when an impressive ten-length winner of the Coronation Cup before finishing 2 nd behind Daryz in both the Prix Foy and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He ran with credit when 3 rd beaten 5 ½ lengths last time in the Champion Stakes at Ascot over an inadequate trip of 1m2f.

BENVENUTO CELLINI

Irish Derby winner who ran well to finish 3 rd behind Kalpana and Calandagan in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. He was disappointing when beaten at 2/5 in the Prix Niel before running with credit when midfield in the Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe last time. He should relish this return to faster ground.

TIFFANY

Sir Mark Prescott trained six-year-old who has finished in the top 3 in her previous 17 starts, winning on nine of those occasions. She won the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin on her penultimate start before beating last year’s winner Ethical Diamond by 1 ¾ lengths at Kentucky Downs in a Grade 2 last time.

JOHANNA WALSH

Joseph O’Brien trained three-year-old who was an impressive four length winner of the Irish Oaks on her penultimate start on good to firm ground. She found the softening ground against her in the Yorkshire Oaks when only 6 th of 9 before a late NR in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Champions’ Day.

BURNHAM SQUARE

The shortest priced US challenger whose winning sequence was ended when only 7 th of 9 behind Tiffany and Ethical Diamond in the Grade 2 Kentucky Turf Cup Invitational Stakes last time. He needs to bounce back following that poor effort.

ETHICAL DIAMOND

Defied odds of 28/1 to win this race last season under Dylan Browne McMonagle when beating Rebel’s Romance by 1 ¼ lengths. He won the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on his penultimate start before finishing 2 nd behind Tiffany in a Grade 2 last time.

HOTAZHELL

Jessie Harrington trained four-year-old who won a German Group 1 prior to defying odds of 50/1 to win the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes last time. He disappointed on his only previous start over 1m4f and may prefer a softer surface.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Trainers & Jockeys To Watch

Aidan O’Brien has won this race a record 7 times including with Auguste Rodin (2023), Highland Reel
(2016), Found (2015), Magician (2013), St Nicholas Abbey (2011) and High Chaparral (2003 & 2002).

Ryan Moore has won this race five times on Auguste Rodin (2023), Found (2015), Magician (2013)
and Conduit (2008 & 2009).

Betting Insight for the Breeders’ Cup Turf

TIFFANY (best priced at 10/1) has been a testament to the training ability of Sir Mark Prescott and the six-year-old can hopefully reward connections with a victory on one of the biggest stages.

She comes into the race off the back of two victories including when beating last year’s winner Ethical Diamond by 1 ¾ lengths at Kentucky Downs last time in a Grade 2. Provided she has a reasonable draw then Luke Morris should be able to get a prominent position and it will take a good one to get passed her at the finish.

Recommended Bet: Tiffany - 0.5pt EW

Best odds of 10/1 at bet365 while publishing.