Breeders Cup Preview Del Mar (Sat 1st Nov 2025 )

42nd Running of Breeders Cup World Championships to be held for fourth time in Del Mar, California

Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean in San Diego County, Del Mar – “Where the turf meets the surf” – is set to serve as a Breeders’ Cup host site for a fourth time after also hosting in 2017, 2021, 2024 . Consisting of 14 Grade 1 races with purses and awards totaling more than $31 million, the 42nd World Championships are scheduled to be held on Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £2,080,000 14 runners 1m4f Firm ITV4

race conditions  £3,680,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 5lb Penalty value  1st  £2,080,000.00 2nd  £680,000.00 3rd  £360,000.00 4th  £200,000.00 5th  £120,000.00 6th  £80,000.00 7th  £40,000.00 8th  £40,000.00 9th  £40,000.00 10th  £40,000.00

14 Runners Declared for Breeders Cup Turf over 12 furlongs on ground described as firm. 

The Aidan O' Brien trained three-year-old filly MINNIE HAUK , has been put in strong favourite at around 11-10, after finishing excellent second in ARC at Longchamp in October, only beaten head, just getting run down in closing stages behind French colt Daryz. Had previously won three G1 races. English, Irish & Yorkshire Oaks, though did have hard race at Longchamp only four weeks ago, according to reports lost the most weight of the O'BRIEN runners travelling over to Del Mar. Not for me at short price.Obvious claims on form, though not for me at 11-10 .

Dual Breeders Cup Turf winner REBELS ROMANCE , should go well for Charlie Appleby & William Buick.Has been in great form this season ,winning five times , including winning G1 Joe Hirsch classic at Aqueduct in September , though probably ran his best race in King George at Ascot in July , finishing third to top class Champion Stakes winner Calandagan. Goes well on these tight turning American tracks, including winning the race last year over C&D. Odds 3-1 or above looks fair value .

Best of the rest, looks to be the improving three-year-old  AMILOC , winning 5 out 6 races, including winning G2 Edward V11 stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Will be suited returning to 12 furlongs on fast surface.Up in class though could go well at decent odds . Each-way claims at around 14-1 .

VERDICT : 1ST : REBELS ROMANCE 2ND: MINNIE HAUK 3RD: AMILOC 

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Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Main Track) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £2,912,000 9 runners 1m2f Fast ITV4

race conditions  £5,152,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 3lb Penalty value  1st  £2,912,000.00 2nd  £952,000.00 3rd  £504,000.00 4th  £280,000.00 5th  £168,000.00 6th  £112,000.00 7th  £56,000.00 8th  £56,000.00 9th  £56,000.00 10th  £56,000.00

9 Runners go to post for the feature race the Breeders Cup Classic, with the red hot favourite SOVEREIGNTY ruled out with temperature on Wednesday .

The Japanese globetrotter FOREVER YOUNG  can go two places better than last year , winner of nine of his 12 races , including winning the valuable Saudi Cup last season .Has shown consistent form in America , including finishing close third in Kentucky Derby in 2024 and finishing staying on third in this race last year.Should be spot on for this years race, after winning his prep race in Japan earlier this month .Odds 5-1 or above look solid each-way play .

Last years runner up FIERCENESS looked good last time when winning the Pacific Classic at Del Mar over C/D at end of August , goes particularly well here at Del Mar , though can throw in the odd stinker. Should go well on his best form . .

2024 Breeders Cup Classic winner SIERRA LEONE , hasn't reproduced that form this season , his only victory coming in the Whitney Stakes at Saratoga in August , Unlikely to get his favoured fast pace in this years contest .Looks favourite worth opposing .

Of the others the consistent three-year-old colt JOURNALISM  looks the most interesting, has run some good races this season, including finshing second in Kentucky Derby behind Sovereignty. Place claims .

VERDICT :1ST  FOREVER YOUNG : 2ND FIERCENESS : 3RD JOURNALISM 

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Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Grade 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £883,200 14 runners 1m3f Firm SK/RT

race conditions  £1,472,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 4lb Penalty value  1st  £883,200.00 2nd  £294,400.00 3rd  £176,640.00 4th  £88,320.00 5th  £29,440.00

14 Runners decared for the Fillies & Mares Turf over 1M 3F , this looks very competitive contest with bookmakers going 9-2 the field . 

The Andrew Balding four-Year-old filly SEE THE FIRE , has been put in favourite after finishing creditable second in Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp earlier this month on soft ground , been running with credit this season against the colts , though her only victory came in weak G2 contest at York in May, can't be ruled out on her best form, though no easy task from very wide draw in stall 14 .

CINDERELLAS DREAM looked unlucky second in this race last year, coming home strongly in closing stages after getting trapped on inside rail .Won twice this season including winning G1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July, slightly disappointing third last time in 1M Sun Chariot stakes at Newmarket, though will be suited returning to this longer trip on fast surface. Solid each-way claims at 5-1 or bigger 

Best of the American horses looks to be SHE FEELS PRETTY , winner of four grade one races , including winning the E P Taylor stakes at Woodbine last time. Looks closely matched with Cinderellas Dream on last years Belmont Oaks form, though has to overcome tricky draw in stall 13 . 

Of the others the Charlie Appleby second string DIAMOND RAIN  should be in mix after finishing close second behind She Feels Pretty at Woodbine last time, this slightly longer trip should suit, though this tight track not certain to suit this very big filly .

VERDICT : 1ST : CINDERELLAS DREAM 2ND: SHE FEELS PRETTY 3RD : DIAMOND RAIN 

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BREEDERS CUP SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER RECOMMENDED BETS 

REBELS ROMANCE: 21.41 BREEDERS CUP TURF (1PT WIN @ BSP) (GUIDE PRICE 3-1)

(SECOND BSP 3.90 ) LOSS 1.00 PT )

FOREVER YOUNG: 22.25 BREEDERS CUP CLASSIC (1PT WIN ) (1PT PLACE) @ BSP ) (GUIDE PRICE 5-1 )

(WINNER BSP @ 4.10 ) PROFIT + 3.90 ) 

CINDERELLAS DREAM: 00.25 BREEDERS CUP FILLIES & MARES (1PT EACH-WAY ) @ 5-1 MOST FIRMS ) 1/5 ODDS 

(UNPLACED SP 9-4 ) LOSS 2.00 PTS)

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Prix de l 'Arc de Triomphe Preview (Longchamp Sun 5th Oct 2025 )

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (French pronunciation: [pʁi də laʁk də tʁijɔ̃f]) is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris over a distance of 2,400 metres (1 mile 4 furlongs). The race is scheduled to take place each year in the autumn, usually on the first Sunday in October.

With prize money of €5 million, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, often referred to as the Arc, is Europe's richest flat race. The prize money and prestige of the race attract entries and spectators from across the world.^[2] Since 2008 the race has been sponsored by Qatar.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) (3yo+ No Geldings) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £2,361,157 17 runners 1m4f Very Soft ITV

race conditions  £4,132,231 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weights  4yo+ colts 59.5kg (9st5lb); 4yo+ filles 58kg (9st2lb); 3yo colts 56.5kg (8st13lb); 3yo fillies 55kg (8st9lb) Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 6lb Allowances  fillies & mares 1.5kg Penalty value  1st  £2,361,157.02 2nd  £944,628.10 3rd  £472,314.05 4th  £235,950.41 5th  £118,181.

Europes premier flat race first run in 1920 . This years renewal looks wide open with 17 runners going to post on ground described as very soft . 

The Aidan O'Brien trained three-year-old Irish filly MINNIE HAUK , has been put in favourite at around 7-2 ,after winning her last five races , including winning the English & Irish Oaks at Epsom & Curragh,her best form has been faster ground  though has winning form on softer ground as two-year-old .The form of her Oaks victories is questionable in this much deeper race , though cant be ruled out .

Last years ARC runner up AVENTURE should go well after winning G1 Prix Vermeille at Lonchamp last month over C&D in good style, goes particularly well her at Longchamp (11222) , including finishing excellent second in race last year behind the useful Bluestocking .All her best form has been on soft surface. Looks solid each-way bet at 5-1 or above, especially with SKYBET paying five places .

French three-year-old colt DARYZ looks interesting after finishing short head second in 10f Prix du Prince d 'Orange at Longchamp, finishing strongly from off the pace, looks open to improvement over this longer trip .Each-way claims at around 12-1 

Best of the rest looks to be the French four-year-old colt SOSIE , who goes well her at Longchamp winning five times at the track , also finished fair fourth in race last year . Best form on soft surface .Decent place claims from good draw in stall 3 .

VERDICT : (1) AVENTURE (2) DARYZ (3) SOSIE (4) MINNIE HAUK 

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RECOMMENDED BET :

AVENTURE 3.05 LONGCHAMP PRIX DE L 'ARC DE TRIOMPHE 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 5-1 SKYBET (1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4-5 )

(UNPLACED SP 15-2 LOSS 2.00 PTS )

RESULT : (1ST DARYZ 12-1 ) (2ND MINNIE HAWK 9-4 ) (3RD SOSIE 16-1 ) 

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John Musker Listed Stakes Preview (Wed 16th September 2025 )

 The John Musker Fillies' Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Great Yarmouth, over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 23 yards (2,033 metres) and it is scheduled to take place each year in September. It was first run in 1993. The race is named after John Musker (died 1926), a racehorse breeder from Norfolk.^[1]

Leading trainer (6 wins):

• John Gosden – Saafeya (1998), Dance Partner (2006), So Mi Dar (2016), Fanny Logan (2019), Majestic Noor (2020), Shaara (2022)

race conditions  £55,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ fillies & mares, which are EBF eligible, which have not won a Group 1 or Group 2 Pattern race after March 31st, 2025 Weights  3yo 8st 13lb; 4yo+ 9st 4lb Penalties  after March 31st, 2025, a winner of a Listed race 3lb; of a Group 3 race 5lb Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 5lb Entries  19 pay £275 Penalty value  1st  £30,921.00 2nd  £11,770.00 3rd  £5,890.50 4th  £2,937.00 5th  £1,474.00 6th  £742.50 7th  £368.50

Great Yarmouth's feature race of the season .The 32nd running of  £55,000 John Musker Fillies Stakes over 10 furlongs on ground described as Good/Soft .

KEY STAT : Three-year-olds have won the race (24 out 31 ) (77% strike rate ) 

John & Thady Gosden have three runners in the race (Running Lion ) (Life Is Beautiful ) (Rainbows Edge) , including the likely favourite RUNNING  LION , who is top rated in the race on official BHA ratings of 110 , though has got plenty to prove on this years form , including finishing (last of 5 in G1 Nassau Stakes )& (last of 8 in G1 Falmouth Stakes) Takes big drop in class here into listed company, though is only (1 out 3) (221) in listed company, first time blinkers may help and does have winning form on soft ground, though not for me at around 5-2

The Night Ot Thunder three-year-old filly LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, looks interesting after finishing creditable second in G3 company at Deauville last time , that was decent effort, finishing under lengh behind decent French filly Cankoura ,who had previously finished third in G1 Prix de Diane.Unraced on soft ground, though has real soft ground pedigree (Night Of Thunder ) ( 2 out 2 ) on soft, the dam (Beautiful Morning ) winning this race back in 2017 on soft ground. Looks open to further improvement and three-year-olds have excellent record in race.Odds 4-1 or bigger look solid each-way value .

Of the others BEAUTIFUL LOVE   has to be respected on pick of her form , including finishing distant second in G2 Middleton Stakes at York behind See The Fire in May , had also finished good fourth in last years G1 Breeders Cup Filly's and Mares turf at Del Mar, only beaten lengh , been slightly disappointing this season, though does take drop in class.However all winning form has been on quick ground.

York listed winner CHARLOTTES WEB is very consistent filly, looks sure be in mix ,though won't find it easy under 3lb listed penalty.

The Royal runner RAINBOWS EDGE  will be suited returning to 10 furlongs, having appeared not to stay 12 furlongs at York last time , can't be ruled out if handling this easier ground .

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RECOMMENDED BET :

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL 4.00 YARMOUTH JOHN MUSKER  LISTED STAKES 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 4-1 WILLIAM HILLS .888SPORT 

(UNPLACED SP 3-1 LOSS 2.00 PTS )

RESULT : (1ST RUNNING LION 9-2 ) (2ND ANNA SWAN 14-1) (3RD RAINBOW EDGE 10-3)

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Irish Champion Stakes Preview (Sat 13th September 2025 )

The Irish Champion Stakes (Irish: Curadh-Dhuais na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.

The event was established in 1976, and it was initially held at Leopardstown as the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes. It was named in memory of Joe McGrath (1887–1966), the founder of the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake and a successful racehorse owner.

The race was transferred to Phoenix Park and renamed the Phoenix Champion Stakes in 1984. Its present title was introduced in 1991, when the event returned to Leopardstown after the closure of its former venue.

The Irish Champion Stakes became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2009. The winner now earns an automatic invitation to compete in the same year's Breeders' Cup Turf.^[1]

race conditions  €1,250,000 guaranteed For  3yo+ Weights  3yo 9st 3lbs; 4yo+ 9st 9lbs Weight for age  3yo from 4yo+ 6lb Allowances  fillies & mares 3lbs Penalty value  1st  €712,500.00 2nd  €237,500.00 3rd  €112,500.00 4th  €50,000.00 5th  €25,000.00 6th  €12,500.00 

8 runners declared for Irish Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown on soft ground .

2024 Ascot Champion stakes winner ANMAAT  should go well with ground conditions in his favour.Lightly raced this season , though finished excellent second in Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in June ,behind the top class Ombudsman on ground that would been too quick. Goes well fresh and has excellent record on soft ground .Odds 4-1 look solid each-way value in this eight runner race .

Eclipse winner DELACROIX  looks the main danger ,after finishing good second in Juddmonte International at York last month , though not match for impressive winner Ombudsman on the day, that was still fair effort in messy race .Has to be respected back at Leopardstown, though is unproven on ground this soft. 

Of the others soft ground specialist WHITE BIRCH  can't be ruled out on pick last seasons form , including winning the G1 Tattersals Gold Cup .Also Goes well fresh ,each-way claims .

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Recommended Bet :

ANMAAT 5.30 LEOPARDSTOWN IRISH CHAMPION STAKES 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 4-1 LADBROKES 

(SECOND SP 4-1 LOSS 0.20 PTS )