Total all-sources common-pool handle for the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., was $182,908,409, a new record for the two-day event.
The total represents a 4.7% increase over the prior record of $174,628,986 set when the event was held at Santa Anita Park in 2019 and a 14.0% increase from the total handle of $160,472,893 at the 2020 event held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.
Total common-pool handle on Saturday's 12-race Breeders' Cup card was a record $121,562,392. All sources common-pool handle on Breeders' Cup's 10-race Future Stars Friday card was $61,346,017, also a new record for a Breeders' Cup Friday. This is the fourth consecutive year that Breeders' Cup grouped all its juvenile races together on Friday.
“We had an extraordinary two days of racing showcasing the best Thoroughbreds from around the world and we want to thank our partners here at Del Mar, who did an amazing job, and the greater San Diego community, our gracious hosts this week,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “The Breeders' Cup is a truly global event with winners this weekend bred, raised, and raced on three different continents.”
On-track handle for the two days was $19,032,307. On-track attendance for the two days was 47,089. Due to precautions related to COVID-19, Breeders' Cup and Del Mar reduced ticket capacity for the 2021 event.
“Our team at Del Mar was thrilled to host this year's renewal of the Breeders' Cup,” said Josh Rubinstein, Del Mar's President and Chief Operating Officer. “We want to extend our congratulations to all of this weekend's participants. They put on an amazing display of world-class competition.”
The Breeders Cup World Championships will return to Keeneland in 2022.
Breeders' Cup Two-Day Attendance and Handle (common-pool) history:
| Year | Location | Attendance | Handle |
| 2021 | Del Mar | 47,089 | $182,908,409 |
| 2020 | Keeneland | No Attendance Reported | $160,472,893 |
| 2019 | Santa Anita | 109,054 | $174,628,986 |
| 2018 | Churchill Downs | 112,672 | $157,445,841 |
| 2017 | Del Mar | 70,420 | $166,077,486 |
| 2016 | Santa Anita | 118,484 | $156,861,811 |
| 2015 | Keeneland | 94,652 | $149,869,035 |
| 2014 | Santa Anita | 98,319 | $151,158,813 |
| 2013 | Santa Anita | 94,628 | $160,704,877 |
| 2012 | Santa Anita | 89,742 | $144,272,332 |
| 2011 | Churchill Downs | 105,820 | $161,512,867 |
| 2010 | Churchill Downs | 114,353 | $173,857,697 |
| 2009 | Santa Anita | 96,496 | $153,271,176 |
| 2008 | Santa Anita | 86,588 | $155,740,328 |
| 2007 | Monmouth Park | 69,584 | $129,197,262 |
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