Nothing Neutral About Gstaad In the Juvenile Turf As O’Brien Passes Lukas

[Wandering Eyes]

Marooned in gate 14 of 14 for Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, GSTAAD (GB) (c, 2, Starspangledbanner {Aus}–Mosa Mine {GB}, by Exceed and Excel {Aus}) was never better than three deep on the Jimmy Durante turf course, but rolled into the race under a hold approaching the stretch and leveled off beautifully once let loose by Christophe Soumillon to reward those that backed him into 6-5 favoritism.

Soumillon, who had not won a Breeders' Cup race since guiding Shirocco (Ger) to victory in the 2005 GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park, asked this year's G2 Coventry Stakes romper for a bit of early zip to gain some semblance of early position and was more or less able to slot in Gstaad into about the three path as 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Outfielder (Speightstown) went at it hammer and tong with local hope Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never).

Slightly worse than midfield passing halfway, Gstaad was slipped a bit of rein by the Belgian, but French-based jockey and had improved into about fifth position and well in hand while working into the race ominously well. On the back of Street Beast (Street Sense) four wide off the final corner, Gstaad was yanked off that one's heels and stayed on nicely as Stark Contrast (Caravaggio) made late inroads at the fence.

With the victory, Aidan O'Brien surpasses the late D. Wayne Lukas with his record-setting 21st winner at the Breeders' Cup. He is the first Breeders' Cup winner for Starspangledbanner.

Sales history: 450,000gns Wlg '23 TATDEF. Lifetime Record: 6-3-3-0. O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Maywood Stud; T-Aidan O'Brien

 

Gstaad flies home a #BreedersCup champion in the $1 Million Juvenile Turf! #BC25 Congrats to the connections! pic.twitter.com/3vmoylVbVb

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025

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