The Breeders’ Cup World Championships provides an exclamation point to the racing season at the end of each year. Huge purses, top-class horses, and large fields promise the crowning of champions and cashing of big winning bets.

But just what is the Breeders’ Cup, and why is it so important? With the 2019 edition just two weeks away, here’s a primer on the sport’s biggest weekend and why it’s a yearly highlight for racing fans.