Dave Smyth, a 50-year-old financial planner from Lexington, won the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), the largest live-money Thoroughbred racing tournament, held at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Smyth earned a record $607,800 by successfully wagering on the final two races of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, including a pivotal $8,000 Daily Double bet. The 17th annual BCBC featured a record 643 entries and a prize pool of $1,607,500, with players wagering a total of nearly $8.9 million over 22 races. Smyth’s strategic betting, including a key exacta box on Forever Young and Sierra Leone, secured his victory and a memorable moment at Del Mar.
Smyth’s win was especially meaningful as he entered the BCBC after winning a qualifying tournament earlier in the year, applying his financial planning skills to handicapping. Demonstrating his commitment to the sport’s future, he pledged 5% of his prize to Amplify Horse Racing, an organization supporting education and career opportunities in the Thoroughbred industry. The tournament also included participation from satellite locations and online platforms, reflecting its broad appeal and growth in the horse racing community.
