Wandering Eyes

DEL MAR, USA — “I'm just glad Willie Mullins doesn't train too many Flat horses,” said Charlie Appleby after his dual Breeders' Cup winner Rebel's Romance was relegated to the sidings by the runaway train that is Ethical Diamond. The five-year-old's jaw-dropping performance in the Turf, in partnership with Ireland's new champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, had even Mullins stunned as he attempted to take in the magnitude of this latest landmark in his extraordinary career. Plenty of trainers will agree with Appleby – and the latter did at least gain some recompense later in the afternoon with his fourth win in five years in the Breeders' Cup Mile, while Francis Graffard notched a breakthrough win in the Filly & Mare Turf with Gezora and Yoshito Yahagi took the most coveted prize of the Classic with the outstanding Forever Young. But it is Mullins's primary association which makes his latest achievement under the Californian sun all the more remarkable. He's a jumps trainer, right? Cheltenham and Punchestown are his regular domains, not Del Mar. Well, not until Saturday anyway. Ethical Diamond's route to his record-shattering romp over some of the best middle-distance horses in the world would appear to be as unorthodox as they come until you consider the stable in which he is trained. From finishing 15th of 19 in a handicap hurdle in the hands of the late Michael O'Sullivan at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting, the Awtaad gelding broke his maiden over hurdles at the fifth time of asking at Punchestown just over a month later. Thereafter, he has kept some pretty fancy company: at Cheltenham, then in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr, before winning at Royal Ascot, York and now Del Mar. “My only pressure was that we wouldn't be tailed off and make a holy show of ourselves,” said Mullins as he beamed his way through the press conference aided by a ready supply of large Bourbons handed to him by the Breeders' Cup's Josh Christian. There's still time, if the Bourbon keeps flowing at the rate. “I very rarely celebrate before the line, but when he hit the front I think I was celebrating a furlong out, which is unlike me, but then it's pretty unlike me to have a winner at the Breeders' Cup.” Flanked by the Heffernan brothers Michael and Andrew, Mullins set about describing to those gathered how he had calmed the headstrong Ethical Diamond, whose top-level win was delivered at odds of 28/1. “Normally with the Irish horses coming to America, we gun them up to try to get out of the stalls quick. We were doing the opposite with this fellow,” he said. “We put a hood on him to slow him down. When Dylan jumped out, he just wheeled him across and behind and just got him relaxed and got him spitting out the bit. “He's just improving now that we have refined the tactics. He can be a very difficult ride. Now that we have figured out the best tactic for him, it's turned him inside out. And Dylan being the guy he is, he's very cool, and he executed it perfectly.” There was little time for Browne McMonagle to enjoy the festivities as he had a plane to catch for home, where it will doubtless start to sink in that he is now his country's champion jockey for the first time. “He's a different class: jumps, Flat, anywhere around the world, he turns up every time,” the jockey said of Mullins before he departed. “It's great to top off the year that we've had. It is unbelievable.” Mullins will now reply on the services of Kerrin McEvoy for his next mission in Melbourne, where he will saddle Absurde for the same owners in a bid to add 'the race that stops the nation' to his burgeoning list of major Flat wins. Australia had once been on the radar for Ethical Diamond, but the strict veterinary protocols for the Melbourne Cup had rendered him ineligible. “My assistant trainer, David Casey, came up with this plan,” Mullins said of his Breeders' Cup challenge. “I thought, why not? We're not going to try to win it. We'll come over here to finish fifth or sixth hopefully. When I saw the entries and our draw at 14, I said maybe sixth or seventh or eighth. Then when Aidan's horse [Gstaad] won from 14 yesterday, that gave me a little bit more confidence that it can be done. If you can do it over a mile, then a mile and a half, it should be easy.” For Charlie Appleby and William Buick the day was to improve significantly when Notable Speech coasted round the rails to give trainer and jockey their fourth success in the Mile – most notably all won with sons of Dubawi. “Last year, he was the highest-profile horse we ever brought here,” said Appleby of the 2,000 Guineas winner who finished third in the same race in 2024. “He is tailor-made for this track.” He added, “Then Will's ride around there was copybook. If you could ever write a script on how to go around there, that was how. He got him out, got a nice pitch two or three back and we always knew we have the cutaway here—even if he was a couple lengths off them at the cutaway, he's got that electric turn of foot that we've seen throughout his career.” With Darley having already announced the retirements of Rosallion, Inisherin and Shadow Of Light to the European stallion roster for 2026, Appleby said that he was hopeful that Notable Speech will remain in training as a five-year-old. Gezora may now stay on in America to race closer to home for her owner Peter Brant, but she has played a significant role in a tremendous season for Francis Graffard, who stands on the cusp of his first trainers' championship after wins in the Arc, Champion Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Prix de Diane, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and now a Breeders' Cup. “This season has been pretty much incredible,” he acknowledged. “We've had very nice horses, but it's a lot of work but everything went really well with us through the season. We've been able to win these amazing races and it's created a lot of emotion and we've enjoyed that very much.” Graffard may not be finished yet as he heads next to Tokyo for the Japan Cup with Calandagan. And indeed, the international racing circuit through next winter and spring will also benefit from appearances from Forever Young (Real Steel) – who will surely aim to defend his Saudi Cup crown – as well as Notable Speech and Ethical Diamond. Yoshito Yahagi and Charlie Appleby know their way around the Middle East but Willie Mullins may need a little help. Asked whether Ethical Diamond will be pointed towards the Dubai Sheema Classic, he replied, “When's that?” Once furnished with the late March date, he added, “Well, I'll be home from Cheltenham by then anyway.” Prior to that, however, and before the jumps season kicks in properly, he has the Melbourne Cup on his mind for a syndicate set up by Andrew and Margaret Heffernan just so they could see more of their grandchildren. Mullins recalled, “Margaret rang me up one day and said, 'Willie, I want you to get a horse or two for my grandchildren. I only meet them at funerals and weddings, and none of the little feckers are getting married anymore, and I don't want to meet them at my funeral so I want an excuse to go to big meetings, to bring all my grandchildren to the races.' Little could Margaret have imagined that her plan would end up with two of her grandsons hightailing it straight from LA to Melbourne in pursuit of an audacious Group/Grade 1 double within the space of three days. They may yet enjoy a fairytale ending but it was not to be for Frankie Dettori, whose final three Breeders' Cup rides included a gallant third for the nine-year-old Khaadem in the Turf Sprint. “I enjoyed my last ride,” he told Matt Chapman after dismounting from the Mitsu Nakauchida-trained Argine. “Perhaps I didn't give her my best ride but I am thankful that I can walk off from the sport in one piece. I've had a tremendous career and I've really enjoyed it. “I was prepared for it and luckily for me I had one dress rehearsal two years ago. It's finished and we're going to close this chapter and open a new one.” Dettori will long be remembered for the many glorious – and a few controversial – chapters of his extraordinary career in the saddle. Saturday was a day for new champions to be crowned and, as ever, the Breeders' Cup delivered those memorable championship moments in rapid succession. The post Internationals Shine Bright Like A Diamond at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ethical Diamond, a horse whose reputation was built jumping hurdles, rallied down the stretch to victory en route to a course record when taking the Nov. 1 $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.View the full article

Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode three winners over the two-day 42nd Breeders' Cup World Championships, won the 23rd Bill Shoemaker Award as the outstanding jockey for the marquee event at Del Mar. View the full article

Already a winner of the G1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) in June, GEZORA (FR) (Almanzor {Fr}–Germance, by Silver Hawk) unleashed a devastating late kick to down stretch leader She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}) in the dying strides and claim the $2-million GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The final time for the 1 3/8 miles was 2:12.54. The bay gave her trainer Francis-Henri Graffard his first Breeders' Cup victory. Bred by Haras d'Etreham where her sire used to stand prior to his permanent export to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, the White Birch Farm colorbearer has now won five of her 10 starts. Sent off at 9-1 in this affair after running 13th in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Oct. 5, Gezora perched in midpack while Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) cut out fractions of :24.36, :47.43 and 1:11.17. Inside horse Village Voice (GB) (Zarak {Fr}) dueled with She Feels Pretty to her outside in second and third throughout, before the latter asserted on the third bend and took over at the quarter-pole. It appeared She Feels Pretty had plenty left in the tank, but Mickael Barzalona was undeterred aboard Gezora, who shifted out five deep to launch her bid while steadily gaining in upper straight. The outcome came down to the final 50 yards, as Peter Brant's filly kept finding to pass She Feels Pretty five strides from the wire. GEZORA RUNS DOWN SHE FEELS PRETTY TO WIN THE BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE TURF! @BreedersCup #BC25 @GraffardRacing pic.twitter.com/loOs95qTDg — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 2, 2025 The post First Breeders’ Cup Win For Graffard, As Gezora Wins The Filly And Mare Turf For Brant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) set 'supersonic' splits early, and ran the race of his life, but it was stablemate Nysos (Nyquist) who ultimately played the spoiler as he nailed the photo to win the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in one of the closes finishes of the weekend. Citizen Bull was the first to step forward for the lead and rocketed through an opening quarter in :21.74 and a half in :44.96 while Nysos watched it all unfold from a stalking position along the rail. With the field losing contact with the tenacious frontrunner as they swung off the bend, and after six panels in 1:09.08 flashed across the board, the race was on as the Baffert runners locked horns for the stretch drive when the 3-5 favorite loomed into contention. Refusing to give each other peace, they were on even terms entering the final yards, and momentarily made contact, before hitting the wire in a desperately close call. Nysos was proclaimed the winner while Citizen Bull was a heartbreaking second. Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) closed well to get up for the trifecta. The victory here is Nysos's first at the elite-level as his only other try against Grade I company resulted in his only career loss when he dead-heated for second in the GI Churchill Down Stakes behind Mindframe (Constitution). The final time was 1:34.71. The 2023 Classic winner White Abarrio (Race Day) was a late scratch before the race. Sales history: $130,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV, $150,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT, $550,000 2YO '23 OBSAPR. O-Baoma Corp; B-Susie Atkins (KY); T-Bob Baffert. One mile, one shot, one champion. Nysos claims the #BreedersCup Dirt Mile in exciting fashion! Congrats the connections! J: Flavien Prat T: Bob Baffert O: Baoma Corp B: Atkins Susie pic.twitter.com/2f4gBizaFE — Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025 The post Bob Baffert Claims Top Spots as Nysos Defeats Citizen Bull in Dirt Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s here! Today will see the start of the World Driving Championship 2025. Ten of the world’s best drivers will battle it out over the next nine days, starting with three races at Kaikoura today. Heat one is Race 5 @ 2.35pm. Heat two is Race 7 @ 3.47pm Heat three is Race 9 @ 5pm To see the media guide produced specifically produced for the WDC click here View the full article

Selections for Kaikoura today. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Kaikoura Trottech Form Analyst Race 1 12.20pm 12 Delightful Dreams 7 Courage Reactor 4 Gimmesomelovin 10 The Highlander Race 2 12.47pm 6 Fox Terror 5 Fear Gogh 3 Star From Heaven 2 Special Edition Race 3 1.26pm 6 Prince Teka 11 Kowhai Sunburst 2 Royal Diedre 4 Pasternak Race 4 1.57pm 1 Blaze Craze 2 Scotlynn Crunch 4 Spirit Of Atlanta 8 Fear The Diva Race 5 2.35pm 4 Hoof It Hagrid 5 Val Thorens 1 Billy Kimber 2 Steelintheheel Race 6 3.08pm 4 Franco Elvis 6 Whatz My Choice 3 Here Comes Marty 8 Jesse Owens Race 7 3.47pm 2 Grettymac 6 Buffy Northstains 6 Midnight Diamond 1 Holly Highlander Race 8 4.22pm 1 Rushkinoff 3 Hi Life 7 Super Fund 10 She’s A Major Act Race 9 5.00pm 2 Foliejon Star 8 Caloriefree 11 Spirit Downunder 10 Scrunch Race 10 5.25pm 7 Blazing Knuckles 3 Crystal 1 Acento 2 Sweet Dreams View the full article

Globetrotting superstar Forever Young defeated an ultra-competitive field to capture the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.View the full article

Within an hour, trainer Jose D'Angelo won two Breeders' Cup races, taking the Turf Sprint with Shisospicy and the Sprint with Bentornato.View the full article

Twelve months after finishing a hard-luck and fast-finishing third in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, NOTABLE SPEECH (GB) (c, 4, Dubawi {Ire}–Swift Rose {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) dove down to the inside with time ticking away in Saturday's renewal and was along in time. It was a fourth win in five years for Godolphin, jockey William Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby and the legendary Dubawi. One Stripe (SAf) (One World {SAf}) won the break and made the lead from G1 Sussex Stakes upsetter Qirat (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) as Notable Speech settled three back the fence on the back of The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) . Holding his spot at the rail for the run into the second turn, Notable Speech pinched ground along the fence while out wide, GI Coolmore Turf Mile hero Rhetorical (Not This Time) was looming a threat outside of One Stripe. The Will Walden runner was asked to quicken and did so nicely in upper stretch, but Buick sent Notable Speech underneath a weakening One Stripe inside the final furlong and whooshed home to score. Horse for course Formidable Man (City of Light) rallied for second ahead of The Lion In Winter in third. Godolphin won the Mile from 2021 through 2023 with Dubawi sons Space Blues (Ire), Modern Games (Ire) and Master of the Seas (Ire). Lifetime Record: 14-7-1-1. O/B-Godolphin; T-Charlie Appleby Poetry in motion over the Del Mar turf. Notable Speech claims #BC25 glory in the @FanDuel #BreedersCup Mile presented by @PDJFund! Congrats the connections! J: William Buick T: Charles Appleby O: Godolphin, LLC B: Godolphin pic.twitter.com/Q2IqRltuUw — Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025 The post Notable Speech Gives Godolphin a Fourth BC Mile Score In Five Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On his two previous appearances on American soil, Susumu Fujita's FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (c, 4, Real Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats) was a desperately unlucky third behind Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the 2024 GI Kentucky Derby and was beaten into third by the latter and fellow 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. In the span of 120 seconds and a fraction of another, Forever Young reversed form with last year's top two, gutting out a thrilling victory in Saturday's Classic Contrary Thinking (Into Mischief) was kicked straight into the lead and it was Forever Young who laid up closest as Fierceness raced handy on the inside through an opening quarter in :23.04. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Mindframe (Constitution) rolled up three wide to make a line of three at halfway, but Forever Young put Contrary Thinking to the sword approching the three-eighths and he was soon joined by Journalism (Curlin) and Baeza (McKinzie) to his outside as Sierra Leone began to work into it from behind. Ryusei Sakai said go in upper stretch and Fiercness popped off the fence to deliver a challenge as Sierra Leone continued to bear down. But Forever Young kept finding up front and held off Sierra Leone by a neck, with Fierceness right there in third. Sales history: $720,603 Ylg '22 JPNJUL. Lifetime Record: 13-10-0-3. O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi A Champion crowned on racing's biggest stage. Forever Young takes the @Longines #BreedersCup Classic! #BC25 Congrats to the connections! J: Ryusei Sakai T: Yoshito Yahagi O: Susumu Fujita B: Northern Racing フォーエバーヤング pic.twitter.com/n9mRMCU3tJ — Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025 The post Japan’s Forever Young Rises to the Occasion in the Breeders’ Cup Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three-year-old filly Shisospicy schooled her older rivals with a dominant front-running score in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).View the full article

Ethical Diamond, a horse whose reputation was built jumping hurdles, rallied down the stretch to victory en route to a course record when taking the Nov. 1 $5,00,000 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.View the full article

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, TENNO SHO (AUTUMN)-G1, ¥574,260,000, 3yo/up, 2000mT Field: Cosmo Kuranda (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}), Urban Chic (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), Brede Weg (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Masquerade Ball (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Ho O Biscuits (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), Museum Mile (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}), Ecoro Walz (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), Shirankedo (Jpn) (Declaration Of War), Seiun Hades (Jpn) (Silver State {Jpn}), Meisho Tabaru (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}), Queen's Walk (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). Sunday, Curragh, Ireland, post time: 14:30, COMER GROUP INTERNATIONAL LOUGHBROWN STAKES-G3, £36,000, 3yo/up, 16f 71y Field: Bottler'secret (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), Chally Chute (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), Duraji (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), The Shunter (Ire) (Stowaway {GB}), Uxmal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Enfranchise (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Vischio (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Bonnie Moon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Island Hopping (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Two For Joy (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Analysis: Last term's G2 Queen Alexandra winner Uxmal and this year's Listed Lenebane Stakes victor and Irish Cesarewitch Handicap runner-up Chally Chute are the pick of the older brigade in this marathon. The sophomore generation is represented by G1 Irish Oaks third Island Hopping, one of two from the Aidan O'Brien yard, and September's Listed Oyster Stakes second Bonnie Moon, who ran fourth in the Listed Bluebell Stakes three weeks ago. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Cologne, Germany, post time: 14:35, SILBERNES PFERD-G3, €55,000, 3yo/up, 15fT Field: Lordano (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Waldadler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Partnun (Ger) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}), Alpina Express (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Coco Royale (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Tanami Starlet (GB) (Best Solution {Ire}), Elano (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Gestut Ittlingen's Group 1-placed Lordano won this in 2023 and, having annexed June's G2 Badischen Wirtschaft, lines up off thirds in the G3 Deutsches St Leger and G3 Herbst Trophy. August's Listed Hoppegartener Steherpreis victor Waldadler was not disgraced when a 100-1 fourth to Al Riffa in the G1 St Leger and rates a serious threat. Of the remainder, Partnun was a head too good for Alpina Express in last month's Listed Silbernes Band der Ruhr, with both possessing solid place claims. Ittlingen's second string Elano is the lone sophomore in the field. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Deauville, France, post time: 14:33, PRIX ZEDDAAN-Listed, €54,900, 2yo, 7f (AWT) Field: Cielo Di Roma (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Real News (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), St Marksman (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Karama Al Leith (Hard Spun), Tavana (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Sagarmatha (Fr) (Palace Pier {GB}), Kozlovskha (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}). TDN Analysis: Kentucky-bred Karama Al Leith was highly tried on debut, running third in Milan's Listed Premio Eupili three weeks ago, and is the only one of seven contenders with black type. Dangers include G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere seventh Cielo Di Roma and G3 Oh So Sharp seventh Tavana. Hisaaki Saito's Real News accounted for Sagarmatha when the pair met at Chantilly last month, while Kozlovskha also boasts winning form. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Loughbrown Stakes Next Landing For Island Hopping appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A little more than two months ago, ETHICAL DIAMOND (IRE) (g, 5, Awtaad {Ire}–Pearl Diamond {Ger}, by Areion {Ger}) was defeating 21 other stayers in the Ebor Handicap at York. Not long before that, he was competing in hurdling events at Punchestown, at Cheltenham and at Ayr. On Saturday afternoon on a stage as big and bright as the Breeders' Cup, the Willie Mullins galloper routed Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and a field including the irrepressible Minnie Hauk (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar. With newly crowned Irish champion rider Dylan Browne McMonagle at the controls from the widest gate in 14 and crunched from 50-1 into just under 28-1 at the off, the 5-year-old was dropped straight out the back of the field to race ahead of only Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) as Silawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) led at a strong tempo. Last but one under the line for the first time, Ethical Diamond was patiently handled near the tail as Goliath prompted the pace with Rebel's Romance running the rails into the final turn. Taking a run between Wimbledon Hawkeye (Ire) (Kameko) and Hill Road (Quality Road) nearing the stretch, Ethical Diamond was steered out six or seven wide under a full head of steam and rolled home to post an improbable upset. Rebel's Romance was second ahead of his stable companion El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in third. Minnie Hauk was sent into the lead in upper stretch by Christophe Soumillion, but a long and arduous campaign may have caught up with her in the final furlong, as she flattened out to finish sixth as the betting favorite. Sales history: 320,000gns HRA '23 TATJUL. Lifetime Record: 15-5-1-1. O-H O S Syndicate; B-Mr W J Kennedy; T-Willie Mullins Turf magic in motion! Ethical Diamond storms home a #BC25 champion in the @Longines #BreedersCup Turf! Congrats to the connections! J: Dylan Browne McMonagle T: William P. Mullins O: H O S Syndicate B: Mr W. J. Kennedy pic.twitter.com/T8pRSWn1HT — Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025 The post ‘Diamond’ In the Rough: Mullins Runner Causes Major Surprise in the Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Splendora's affinity for the main track at Del Mar was on full display Nov. 1 in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), when the blossoming 4-year-old Audible filly romped to 4 3/4-length victory over Vahva.View the full article

Scylla avenged her dam Close Hatches' runner-up finish in 2013 with an explosive front-running score in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.View the full article

Hall of Famer Bill Mott may not have been able to run dual Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the Classic, but his trip across the country wasn't wasted as his trainee Scylla (m, 5, Tapit–Close Hatches, by First Defence), a Juddmonte homebred and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', ran away with the $2-million GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff. The complexion of the race changed out of the gate at even-money favorite Seismic Beauty (Uncle Mo) stutter stepped out of the gate, stumbled, and didn't make the lead, as is her preferred penchant. Scylla stepped right in, snatching the front with :22.27 and :45.75 early fractions. GI Spinster winner Gin Gin (Hightail) pressured her from the outside while Seismic Beauty rushed up three wide, but Scylla was too much for them all. She held sway, turning back a challenge from GI Alabama Stakes Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) three furlongs from home, and poured it on down the lane, winning by about a half-dozen lengths. Nitrogen finished second, while Regaled (Mohaymen) and Clicquot (Quality Road) were third and fourth, respectively. Scylla got the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.07. The win marked the eighth Breeders' Cup winner for Scylla's sire, Tapit. Her dam, champion Close Hatches (First Defence), has produced three graded winners, is a full-sister to the dam of 2023 Distaff winner Idiomatic (Curlin), and is a great-great granddaughter of 1982 Broodmare of the Year Best in Show. O/B-Juddmonte Farms (Ky.); T-Bill Mott; J-Junior Alvarado. Scylla leaves them all behind and sails home in the Breeders' Cup Distaff.pic.twitter.com/J0LfUMdTJY — Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) November 1, 2025 The post Juddmonte Homebred Scylla is Sublime in Breeders’ Cup Distaff appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Special Wan justified her 8-5 favoritism in the $303,000 Goldikova Stakes (G3T), kicking off Breeders' Cup Saturday with a dazzling 1 1/4-length victory Nov. 1 at Del Mar. View the full article

He had to settle for second last year but the 2025 GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint belonged solely to BENTORNATO (r, 4, Valiant Minister–Her Special Way, by Put It Back). In the top flight of speedsters from the gate, the 8-5 favorite came through to lead heading into the far turn ahead of last year's winner Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and Japan's American Stage (Into Mischief) and burst clear at the top of the stretch. Imagination (Into Mischief) and Dr. Venkman (Ghostzapper) put in solid runs late but were several lengths back on the wire. Michael and Julia Iavarone went to $1,000,000 to pick up a 25% ownership interest in Bentornato just three days at the Keeneland Championship Sale at Del Mar Oct. 29. O-Leon King Stable Corp. or Michael and Julia Iavarone; B-Tanma Corp (FL); T-Jose D'Angelo. Sales History: $45,000 ylg '22 OBSOCT, $170,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR, $1,000,000 25% ownership interest '25 KEECHA. Blink and you'll miss it! Bentornato races to victory in the @Cygames #BreedersCup Sprint! Congrats to the connections! J: Irad Ortiz, Jr. T: Jose Francisco D'Angelo O: Leon King Stable Corp. B: Tanma Corp pic.twitter.com/CnLaoskVPj — Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025 The post Redemption For Bentornato In Breeders’ Cup Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a speedy gate exit and the ability to last, Shisospicy (Mitole–Mischief Galore, by Into Mischief) rolled and laid claim to the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar on World Championship Saturday. Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', when she debuted a big winner at Gulfstream Park in mid-October of last year, the filly was set to take on the boys here. The 3-year-old–tabbed at 5-1–shot out of the gate and established a clear lead. No one could touch her around the far turn and she entered the lane in full control. Shisospicy won by 2 1/2 lengths. Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy), herself a 5-year-old mare, was the runner-up. The final running time was :55.24. Shisospicy is the seventh female to win the Turf Sprint. During the running of the race, She's Quality (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) was pulled up by rider Colin Keane. The on-air statement from American Association of Equine Practitioners on-call veterinarian Dr. Scott Hay on She's Quality read, “The jockey had some concern, probably just out of an abundance of caution, but she's showing some right hind lameness currently; there's nothing obvious on the limb. She's going to be transported with the equine ambulance to the hospital where our veterinary experts on standby will evaluate what's going on with her right now.” Lifetime Record: 9-6-1-1. Sales History: KEEJAN '23 $100,000, FTKJUL '23 $200,000. O-Morplay Racing, LLC and Qatar Racing, LLC; B-Bill Heiligbrodt & Corinne Heiligbrodt (KY); T-Jose Francisco D'Angelo. Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint • Shisospicy • Irad Ortiz, Jr. • José Francisco D'Angelo #DelMar #BreedersCup pic.twitter.com/hJCIOIYCzx — Jose F D'Angelo (@JFDAngelo) November 1, 2025 The post Filly Shisospicy Gives The Boys Heartburn By Wiring Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just outside of 48 hours before she is set to take her place as hip 155 at Monday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Special Wan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) enhanced her resume with a straight-forward success as the favorite in Saturday's GII Goldikova Stakes at Del Mar. Away neatly from the three hole, Special Wan was with the early pace, but was wisely taken a hold of by Joel Rosario as 77-1 Violeta M (Arg) (John F Kennedy {Ire}) opened up a sizeable advantage through enervating early splits of :22.82 and :46.29. Kept inside for the run into the turn, Special Wan took the race to the longshot leader with 2 1/2 furlongs to travel and that first crack at the front-runner proved decisive, as the bay easily held sway to the wire. Breath Away (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) outfinished Medoro (Honor Code) for the place spot. “She's a very special horse and she showed me that again today,” the winning rider commented. “I knew Mike (Smith) and Violeta M were going fast on the lead, but my horse just relaxed and settled comfortably behind her. She made the lead easily on her own, I just let her go. I shook the reins at her just to keep her focused in the stretch and she finished well. She was the best horse in the race, that's for sure.” A maiden winner and narrowly beaten in Group 3 company against the boys at Leopardstown for trainer Patrick Foley, Special Wan made this year's GIII Honey Fox Stakes her first graded success on her third U.S. appearance. An excellent third after having to alter course in the stretch of the GI Just A Game Stakes in yielding ground at Saratoga June 6, the bay defeated the classy Segesta (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Ladies' Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30 when last seen, earning a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure. Pedigree Notes: Special Wan is the most accomplished of four foals to race from her dam, a daughter of SW Slow Jazz–herself by inaugural GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Chief's Crown–whose other produce includes Italian listed winner and Group 3-placed Mister Cavern (GB) (Lion Cavern). The winner's half-sister Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) also has form on the Southern California circuit, having placed three times in stakes company including a third in the 2024 GIII Robert J. Frankel Stakes. The yearling relation to Special Wan, a filly by Blue Point (Ire), was purchased for 160,000gns ($226,549) by David Ingordo on behalf of Matt Dorman's Determined Stud at this year's Tattersalls October Sale. Fast Jazz foaled a filly by Gleneagles (Ire) this past March. Saturday, Del Mar GOLDIKOVA S. PRESENTED BY YAAMAVA'-GIII, $303,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:34.26, fm. 1–SPECIAL WAN (IRE), 123, m, 5, by Belardo (Ire) 1st Dam: Fast Jazz (Ire), by Frozen Power (Ire) 2nd Dam: Slow Jazz, by Chief's Crown 3rd Dam: Blue Note (Fr), by Habitat (£225,000 RNA 3yo '23 GOFASC). O-Team Valor International LLC and Rocco, Steven; B-Kilnamoragh Stud (IRE); T-Brendan P. Walsh; J-Joel Rosario. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-3, MGSP-Ire, $1,007,598. *1/2 to Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}), GSP, $191,422. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Breath Away (GB), 125, m, 5, Bated Breath (GB)–Darling Grace (GB), by Nayef. (92,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 230,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Rocco, Steven and Tango Uniform Racing LLC; B-Highgate Stud (GB); T-Miguel Clement. $60,000. 3–Medoro, 121, f, 4, Honor Code–Achira, by English Channel. O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY); T-Peter Eurton. $36,000. Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 11.10, 2.70. Also Ran: Crevalle d'Oro, Deep Satin, Public Assembly, Temptable (GB), Nadette (Fr), Lady Claypoole (Ire), Liguria, Violeta M (Arg). Scratched: Certitude (Fr), Sun Of Hill (Brz). Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Fasig-Tipton Bound Special Wan Dominates the Goldikova appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Derived from the Latin word 'splendor', Splendora (Audible) equates in the dictionary to magnificent brilliance or a dazzling display of beauty. Putting in a performance worthy of her name, the 4-year-old daughter of Audible upset her favored stablemate Hope Road (Quality Road) to capture the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, the first Breeders' Cup race of the card Saturday. Perhaps a true horse for course and certainly a hometown girl for California, three of Splendora's four previous wins have come over the Del Mar dirt. Campaigned where the turf meets the surf over the summer, she rewarded trainer Bob Baffert and owner By Talla Racing with two straight victories coming into the Breeders' Cup including a last-out romp by 5 1/2 lengths in the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at one mile Sept. 1. One of three Baffert-trained entries to go to post in a race heavily impacted by the morning-of scratches of both Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), Splendora was the middle wagering choice of three, going off at odds of 5-2 while Hope Road attracted even money and Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) drew widest at 4-1. Showing a good turn of foot from the inside, Splendora broke in line with the field was quickly overtaken by a host of rivals to her outside, each of whom was sent to lead. Hope Road went fastest of a trio that separated itself out in the first furlong with Haulin Ice (Coal Front) and Richi keeping things tight through an opening quarter in :22.12. Splendora, guided by jockey Flavien Prat, settled beautifully behind those frontrunners in a joint fourth on the run into the far turn. Clearly with plenty of horse, Prat finally tipped his filly off the rail approaching the quarter pole and she swept up four wide to engage Hope Road as the field straightened for the line. The duel between stablemates lasted mere strides before Splendora hit the front with a furlong to run and opened up with Prat going to the stick just once left handed before settling for hands and heels to the wire. Vahva (Gun Runner), in her final start before selling at Keeneland November, made up plenty of ground into the stretch to steal second from Hope Road who settled for third in a final running time of 1:21.79. Splendora's win gave Baffert his second in the Filly & Mare Sprint after he captured it first with Gamine (Into Mischief) in 2020. It was the first victory in the race for Prat and his eighth overall in a Breeders' Cup race. “She has been working really well and she loves this track,” said Baffert following the race. “I told (Flavien) Prat, when she ran here this summer, going six furlongs, she ran an incredible race and just sat off the pace. When he swooped up to the outside (today) and she took off, it was over. Hope Road, she ran great. I thought she would be off the pace a little bit. These races, they are so tough to win.” “I honestly was a bit worried that we might have a lack of speed because of all the scratches, but the pace was fair and I was able to travel good,” Prat added. “I really felt like I was traveling well all the way around and as soon as I was able to go around everybody, she just give me a good run.” Pedigree Note: Splendora was a $125,000 yearling purchase for Talla Racing and Rockingham Ranch at Fasig-Tipton's July Sale in 2022. Her breeder, The Elkstone Group, picked up first dam Miss Freeze with the winner in utero for $45,000 at Keeneland November in 2020 and she's since produced two foals from two to race. She is the first Grade I winner for Audible, a young son of Into Mischief who captured the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby himself before retiring to stud at WinStar Farm. From three crops, he's been represented by 141 winners and seven stakes winners including My Mane Squeeze. Miss Freeze is one of only two foals from her own dam, who was herself a half-sister to MSW Royal Currier (Red Bullet), a gelding who earned over $869,000 on track up and down the East Coast. A $37,000 RNA at KEENOV back in 2023, Miss Freeze has a 2-year-old colt on the work tab named Oracle of Beaufort (Demarchelier {GB}) and reported a filly by Tiz the Law this season. She is due to National Treasure for 2026. Saturday, Del Mar PNC BANK BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT-GI, $890,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:21.79, ft. 1–SPLENDORA, 124, f, 4, by Audible 1st Dam: Miss Freeze (SW), by Frost Giant 2nd Dam: Reata's Vixen, by Sligo Bay (Ire) 3rd Dam: Top of the League, by Lite the Fuse 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($125,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-By Talla Racing LLC; B-The Elkstone Group LLC (MD); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat. $520,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-4-0, $860,800. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Vahva, 124, m, 5, by Gun Runner 1st Dam: Holiday Soiree (SW & GISP, $405,642), by Harlan's Holiday 2nd Dam: Try to Remember, by Include 3rd Dam: Casanova Striker, by Smart Strike ($280,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Belladonna Racing LLC, Hudson, Lynne, Hudson, Jr., Edward J., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, Farish, W.S., LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $170,000. 3–Hope Road, 124, f, 4, by Quality Road 1st Dam: Marley's Freedom (GISW, $1,233,935), by Blame 2nd Dam: Relaxing Green, by Formal Gold 3rd Dam: Charlotte Augusta, by Chief's Crown ($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O-Cicero Farms LLC; B-Cicero Farms LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $90,000. Margins: 4 3/4, 1 1/4, 4 1/4. Odds: 2.90, 9.80, 1.10. Also Ran: Zeitlos, Richi (Chi), Haulin Ice, Praying. Scratched: Fee Blanche (Jpn), Sweet Azteca, Tamara. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Splendora Best Of The Bafferts In Filly & Mare Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is not uncommon for sharp-dressed trainer Todd Pletcher to be wearing a tie on a stakes afternoon. But on Nov. 1, the one he was sporting at Del Mar carried some personal significance. It belonged to his late mentor, D. Wayne Lukas.View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) parceled up a championship freshman campaign with a stalk-and-pounce victory in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, a win that is better than it might appear on paper in the eyes of his trainer Todd Pletcher. “I thought he ran terrific,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, striking at the Breeders' Cup for the 16th time. “The race unfolded kind of just as we had anticipated it would with [TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard] Brant (Gun Runner) going to the lead. We got a good stalking position. “The only part of the race where we had any concern was, I guess, just inside of the eighth pole. Johnny said that (Ted Noffey) kind of saw the shadow of the building and the footprints from the gate crew right in that area. He said he kind of put on the brakes and idled a bit until he crossed over the shadow. And, once he got into the fully shadowed area, he refocused and re-engaged and started to draw away again. Up to that point and after that, everything went exactly as we hoped.” Pletcher was wearing a tie owned by his former boss and mentor D. Wayne Lukas that was given to him by Lukas's widow Laurie at the celebration of life for Lukas in August. “I just felt like it would be appropriate to wear it on Breeders' Cup days, Wayne being the all-time winningest Breeders Cup trainer and with remarkable achievements in the Breeders Cup,” Pletcher said. “When you think about when his stable was at its strongest, back in the day, the Breeders' Cup was a one-day card and lot fewer opportunities than there are now.” Pletcher indicated that the $650,000 Keeneland September yearling would ship to the conditioner's Florida base at Palm Beach Downs and would likely head in the direction of next year's GI Florida Derby. O'Brien and Son Relishing Juvy Turf Spotlight Both Aidan O'Brien and his son Donnacha were in a celebratory mood following Friday's victories in the GI Juvenile Turf races, for the elder O'Brien a record-breaking 21st success at the championships, while Donnacha was earning Breeders' Cup laurels for the first time in his training career. Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) could not have been more impressive in taking the colts' and geldings' division of the Juvenile turf, overcoming a slow break and wide trip before prevailing under Christophe Soumillon. “He's come out the race in good form,” O'Brien said. “It was a great day and a very good performance. From his draw (post 14) it was difficult task but he won well and one we can look forward to next season.” Balantina (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) stormed up the fence to cause a 20-1 upset in the Juvenile Fillies Turf to the thrill of her connections. “It was an incredible day,” the junior O'Brien said. “It was very special to get our first Breeders' Cup win. Balantina seems healthy and happy today. I'm thankful that the owners are going to let me take her home (to Ireland). We're looking forward to an exciting year ahead with her.” Super Corredora Likely Done For Season Super Corredora (Gun Runner), who was given an aggressive ride by Hector Berrios and took them all the way to score at 9-1 in the GI NetJets Breeders' Cp Juvenile Fillies, gave trainer John Sadler his first victory in the race, but has in all likelihood made the final appearance of her 2-year-old season. “It was very exciting,” Sadler said, adding that the filly would return to Santa Anita on Sunday to undergo a 'full evaluation.' “I'm not ruling anything out, but this was probably her last race of the year,” Sadler said. “She ran back in three weeks this time. We're excited for next year. She's well suited for the distance races.” Cy Fair A First BC Winner For Weaver, Not This Time Cy Fair (Not This Time) beat the boys in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, giving her trainer George Weaver his first victory at the championships while also becoming the first Breeders' Cup scorer for Taylor Made stallion Not This Time. “She came out well, and obviously we're proud of her performance,” Weaver said Saturday morning. “It's a big thing for the team. “I felt very comfortable once I saw where she was going into the far turn,” the conditioner added. “She was in a great spot and it looked like he had a lot of horse. I was feeling good most of the way.” With nothing else to play for in the balance of 2025, Cy Fair is likely to be spelled. “I would imagine she'd get a little break,” said Weaver. “I don't think there's a lot of importance in front of us as far as races in the United States anyways. She went to the 2-year-old sale and never missed a beat (since then). We'll probably give her a break–not that she needs one, but it's probably a good time to fit one in.” The post BC Friday Debrief: Ted Noffey ‘More Convincing’ Than Winning Margin Suggests appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article