The Breeders’ Cup has always been about heart — and this year, fans will get to see it in action. WHOOP, the cutting-edge human performance technology company, is teaming up with the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (Oct. 31–Nov. 1) to give viewers a groundbreaking inside look at the heartbeat of the competition — literally.
For the first time in horse racing history, WHOOP Live will broadcast real-time heart rate data from jockeys, trainers, and owners during NBC Sports’ coverage. It’s a move designed to bring audiences closer to the emotional and physical intensity that defines the sport’s grandest stage.
Heartbeats Behind the Glory
The 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, featuring 14 Grade 1 races and more than $34 million in purses and awards, attracts the finest horses and connections from across the world. Yet, amid the thunder of hooves and the roar of the crowd, it’s the human heartbeat — the unseen rhythm of focus, fear, and fight — that tells another story.
“Every heartbeat at the Breeders’ Cup tells a story of adrenaline, focus, and the relentless drive to win,” said Justin McDonald, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “Our partnership with WHOOP offers fans a true window into the physical and mental performances that define championship moments for our jockeys, owners, and trainers.”
Through WHOOP’s data-driven insights, fans will witness the physiological strain and composure of those competing at racing’s highest level. For the first time, the human performance metrics that fuel elite competition will be visible — not just imagined.
Merging Science with Sport
WHOOP has earned global recognition for helping athletes across multiple sports measure strain, recovery, and sleep patterns to enhance performance. Its data reveals a simple truth — that consistency, recovery, and preparation drive results.
“We’re proud to partner with the Breeders’ Cup to showcase the world’s best at the peak of their preparation and performance,” said John Sullivan, Chief Marketing Officer at WHOOP. “By adding physiological context to the effort, composure, and human performance behind every race, we’re giving fans a richer understanding of what it means to perform under immense pressure.”
In studies with professional golfers and other athletes, WHOOP has demonstrated how higher recovery scores and consistent sleep correlate directly with improved results. The same science now finds its way into the racing world, where focus and stamina can make the difference between victory and heartbreak.
“Performance isn’t about what you do once — it’s about what you do consistently,” added Sullivan. “From the elite participants at the Breeders’ Cup to everyday athletes, WHOOP helps everyone understand how recovery drives results.”
A New Dimension for Racing Fans
The collaboration between WHOOP and the Breeders’ Cup is more than a technological showcase; it’s a storytelling revolution. Viewers tuning in to NBC and Peacock’s live coverage will now see human performance through data — every heartbeat, every surge of adrenaline, every moment of calm before the storm.
As the 2025 Breeders’ Cup unfolds at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, WHOOP’s innovation ensures that the emotion, endurance, and precision of championship racing will be experienced like never before.
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