The 2018 Breeders' Cup World Championships was the 35th edition of the premier event of the North American thoroughbred horse racing year.

The Breeders' Cup is generally regarded as the end of the North American racing season, although a few Grade I events take place in later November and December.

As the home of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs had the capacity to host the large crowds and betting handle expected at the event.

Churchill Downs underwent a $70 million upgrade to its facilities to secure the bid, focused on improved dining and viewing spaces.

[4][5] The attendance on Friday was 42,249, up 29% from the previous year at Del Mar and up 4% over the last time the Breeders' Cup was held at Churchill Downs, in 2011.

Dirt runners normally are given an edge in North America, but Newspaperofrecord's win on the turf was considered one of the outstanding performances of the event.

[9] The Saturday card was watched by a crowd of 70,423, a major increase from the previous year's attendance at Del Mar, which had been capped at 37,500.

Her owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms, trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori also won the Mile with Expert Eye.