Known as the “Where the turf meets sure,” Del Mar has been one of racing fans’ favorite hosts for some of the most important horse racing events in the world. It’s also considered the second-largest racing venue in the country, where up to 10 races are held daily.
These are just a few contributing factors to this venue’s prominence among horse racing enthusiasts. This 2025, its name has gotten even bigger as it is set to host some of the most exciting races in the American horse racing calendar.
If you want to learn more about these must-watch races, here’s a list we have prepared for you!
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Breeders’ Cup (Multiple G1 Races)
The Breeders’ Cup is one of the most popular international horse racing events. This 2025, it’s announced that the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will be hosting the big race.
It’s Del Mar’s fourth time to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships after hosting it in 2017, 2021, and 2024. The race will consist of 14 Grade 1 races with purses and awards worth $31 million.
It will be held on October 31 and November 1, 2025. For those keen on getting ahead of the action, checking out Delmar picks today is a fun way to stay informed on horses as anticipation builds.
Drew Fleming, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup Limited, says the 2024 return to Del Mar highlights the awesome partnerships between the track team and the San Diego community. Looking forward to the race day, Fleming claims the Breeders’ Cup will again be an incredible show to horse racing fans.
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Pacific Classic (G1)
The Pacific Classic is Del Mar’s most prestigious race of the summer season, which will be held on August 31 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. It boasts a Grade 1 status and a $1 million purse, extravagantly flaunting the riches and prestige of the race.
The race winner will earn a ticket and travel allowance to the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which has a $7 million purse. The Pacific Classic is one of the 83 races within the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, which is participated in by 12 countries.
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Bing Crosby Stakes (G1)
Held annually at Del Mar Racetrack, the Bing Cosby Stakes (G1) is open to three-year-olds and older. The event is run at a distance of six furlongs on dirt. Currently, the Bing Cosby Stakes offers a $400,000 purse.
The race’s name pays tribute to the legendary entertainer Bing Crosby, who not only co-founded Del Mar Racetrack in 1937 but was also a passionate breeder and racehorse owner.
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Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1)
The Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) is a race for three-year-old and older fillies and mares. It is run over a distance of 1 and 1/16 miles on a dirt track. The race is scheduled for late July to Late August and carries a purse of $400,000.
This race got its start as the Chula Vista Handicap on July 17, 1937. Back then, it was 5½ furlongs long for two-year-olds. It continued until 1967 when it switched to a one-mile format.
Six years later, in 1973, the event returned as a racing competition for three-year-olds and older, where it was run at a distance of 1 ⅛ miles. It was in the 1980s when the distance was set at its current distance of 1.
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Hollywood Derby (G1)
The Hollywood Derby is held annually at Del Mar Racetrack from late November to early December. It is a Grade 1 American Thoroughbred horse race open to three-year-old horses. It’s run over a distance of 1 ⅛ miles on turf.
This event was inaugurated in 1938 and has been a Grade 1 race since 1973 when the grading was introduced. Hollywood Derby is considered one of the most popular turf races for three-year-olds at the tail end of the season, drawing up sophomores who perform well on grass.
Wrapping Up
When you think of horse racing, Del Mar is probably one of the places to come to mind. Though it’s a small village on the south coast of California, it’s considered one of the most scenic venues for horse racing in the whole world. Often referred to as “where the surf meets the turf,” the Del Mar boasts a racing calendar that racing enthusiasts would be lucky to attend this 2025.
