The 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championships was the 37th 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.

Despite strict travel protocols relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, 47 horses from overseas were pre-entered, including 10 from the barn of leading Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Keeneland had hoped that they would be able to hold the event before a live audience but ultimately decided to limit attendance to the participants and essential personnel.

Jockeys Pierre-Charles Boudot and Colin Keane picked up the mounts, and earned their first wins at the Breeders' Cup.

[9] Essential Quality established himself up as the early favorite for the 2021 Kentucky Derby by winning the Juvenile with a late run.