Brant and Ted Noffey headline the boys’ division, while Tommy Jo stands out among the fillies—setting up a pair of thrilling dirt showdowns Tommy Jo will be awfully hard to beat if she brings her best / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California, USA) DEL MAR, California  – This year’s  GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile  and  GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies  promise to deliver two of the most compelling clashes of the entire

The Irish maestro will look to break the all-time Breeders’ Cup record for wins—with the fascinating twist that two of his fiercest rivals will be his own sons, Joseph and Donnacha. Leading Aidan O’Brien’s powerhouse team are Minnie Hauk, Precise, and Gstaad, spearheading a world-class delegation Aidan O’Brien, ever gracious with the media, is dreaming of the record / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California, USA) DEL

The Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Travers champion was sidelined from the Breeders’ Cup Classic due to a mild fever—but his trainer chose calm and gratitude in the face of adversity Bill Mott and Sovereignty: Alone Together in the Face of Adversity / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California, USA) DEL MAR, California  – The Thursday morning sun lit up the Godolphin barn at Del Mar, but the mood remained heavy.  Sovereig

Assistant to Adrian Murray, a maker of stars and a trainer in the making himself, Robson Aguiar is enjoying special days at Del Mar alongside Bucanero Fuerte and Arizona Blaze, two of Europe’s top sprinters Robson Aguiar, Arizona Blaze, and a Perfect Snapshot at Del Mar / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California, USA) DEL MAR, California  – The smile on  Robson Aguiar’s  face says it all—a mix of pride, emotion, and a

With Shisospicy and Bentornato, Venezuelan trainer José Francisco D’Angelo dreams of making history at the Breeders’ Cup José Francisco D’Angelo (right) with Jorge Abreu on a Del Mar Morning / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein (Turf Diario Special Correspondent at Del Mar, California, USA) DEL MAR, California — Venezuelan trainer  José Francisco D’Angelo  is back at the  Breeders’ Cup , this time with a team that inspires real optimism. Based in the United States for seve

The former Mexican jockey, now assistant and exercise rider for John Sadler, stands alongside the Argentine star as Full Serrano aims to repeat last year’s triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Full Serrano and Juan Leyva Together at Del Mar, Chasing Another Big Dream / JUAN I. BOZZELLO By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California DEL MAR, California—As dawn breaks over Del Mar and the Pacific breeze turns golden under the rising sun, 

The contenders for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) completed their morning routines at Del Mar on Wednesday, in a session overshadowed by the withdrawal of the race’s leading favorite Forever Young Seeks Redemption in the Breeders’ Cup Classic / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California DEL MAR, California—Dawn broke over Del Mar on Wednesday with news that sent a jolt through the  Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) : 

Trainer José Álvarez Donoso knows the challenge is a tough one, but he’s hopeful Gran Oriente will deliver his very best on Saturday at Del Mar Gran Oriente Faces a Tough Test in the Breeders’ Cup Mile / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California DEL MAR, California—South American racing will write a new chapter in its ongoing quest for international glory this weekend, and  Chile  will be right in the spotlight. With  G

Following the fever episode he suffered on Tuesday, the Godolphin colt will miss the Breeders’ Cup Classic, a major setback for the event’s marquee race Sovereignty Withdrawn from the Most Anticipated Race of the Year / BENOIT PHOTO By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California DEL MAR, California—Thoroughbred racing can be as dazzling as it is unforgiving, and the  Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)  has just suffered a blow as shocking as it

The Italian jockey made the announcement earlier today; Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay are reportedly among the destinations being considered for the legendary rider’s farewell tour Frankie Dettori, This Time Truly Brings His Riding Career to an End / BENOIT PHOTO By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California DEL MAR, California—Wednesday dawned with the usual rhythm on the Del Mar backstretch, yet there was something different in the ai

The trainer will saddle the champion for the final time in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), where he’ll look to defend his crown Sierra Leone Enjoys a Refreshing Bath After Another Morning Gallop / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California DEL MAR, California—Some farewells can be felt before they happen. For  Sierra Leone , the champion whom  Chad Brown  calls  “the best horse I’ve ever trained,”  the days leading up t

The Classic favorite made headlines Tuesday after developing a mild fever, and all eyes are now on Wednesday, when a final decision on his participation is expected Sovereignty Would Represent the Most Significant Defection of the Breeders’ Cup Series / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein, special correspondent for Turf Diario in Del Mar, California DEL MAR, California—The usual calm of dawn on the backstretch at Del Mar was shattered Tuesday by news that rippled through th

All six South American-bred runners set to compete during the Breeders’ Cup series drew starting positions right where their teams wanted, adding optimism to the region’s strong representation Sarawak Rim Impresses in Her Final Monday Breeze / BREEDERS' CUP Por Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar) DEL MAR, California.- When  Sarawak Rim (Remote) ’s name came up during Monday’s  post position draw  for the  2025 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1)  an

The contenders for the meeting’s marquee event stretched their legs with light exercise on Monday, just five days out from the big showdown Todd Pletcher’s Triple Threat Set for the Classic / BREEDERS' CUP By Diego H. Mitagstein DEL MAR, California (From an special correspondent).- Less than a week out from the  Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) , the leading contenders eased into the final stretch of preparation Monday morning at  Del Mar , turning in light gallops and keeping the

Juan Pablo Paoloni and Gustavo Calvente Shine in Venezuela and Peru, Capturing Prestigious Races and Flying the Argentine Flag High Gustavo Calvente and Khamal Shine Bright at Monterrico / JCP / JULIO VILLANUEVA Argentine racing once again made its presence felt beyond national borders thanks to two outstanding ambassadors of the country’s riding school. On Sunday,  Juan Pablo Paoloni  and  Gustavo Calvente  delivered brilliant victories in  Venezuela  and  Peru , respective

In his first start back, the 2024 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) winner ran a respectable race in Saudi Arabia, while the jockey finished eighth on his debut in Abu Dhabi Haqeet Delivers at King Abdulaziz / JCSA The Arab racing scene played host to two notable moments for South American connections over the weekend. At  King Abdulaziz Racecourse  in Saudi Arabia,  Intense for Me  made his first start since his disappointing run in February’s  Saudi Cup (G1) , finishing f

The Wootton Bassett colt, bred at Coolmore and ridden by Ronan Whelan, captured the William Hill Futurity Trophy (G1) to complete a Ballydoyle clean sweep Down the center of the track, Hawk Mountain proved too strong for his stablemates at Doncaster / HRI DONCASTER, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- Aidan O’Brien  once again etched his name into the record books Saturday at  Doncaster , saddling the first three finishers in the  William Hill Futurity Trophy (G1) , one o

The reigning Dubai World Cup (G1) winner captured the Fayette Stakes (G3) on the closing day of the Keeneland Fall Meet Hit Show and Irad Ortiz Jr. Dazzle in the Fayette / KEENELAND LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- Wathnan Racing  once again enjoyed the brilliance and strength of  Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) , who reaffirmed his class with a commanding repeat victory in the  Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G3) , the feature event on Keeneland’s Fall Meet closing day.

At Del Mar, everything is coming to life as the Classic contenders complete their final workouts ahead of next Saturday’s showdown The imposing Sovereignty was on display Saturday morning / BREEDERS' CUP DEL MAR, California (From special correspondent).- A week out from the  Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) , the leading contenders for the season’s most anticipated race continue to  fine-tune their preparations , with a busy Saturday morning split between  Saratoga, Santa Anita, a

The Midshipman colt will become the first Uruguayan-bred horse ever to compete in the world’s most prestigious racing series Touch of Destiny was out bright and early on Saturday morning—and looked sharp / BREEDERS' CUP DEL MAR, California (From special correspondent.- Next weekend will mark a  historic milestone for Uruguayan racing .  Touch of Destiny , bred and owned by  Haras Phillipson , will become the  first Uruguayan-born horse ever to compete in the Breeders’ Cup ,