Forged Steel completes the ultimate double: wins the Goodwood and puts Vekoma on the G1 map
The grey defeated stablemate Caldera by 1 1/4 lengths to give trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. the 1-2 sweep he was targeting at Santa Anita Park. In doing so, he secured a "Win and You're In" berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and became the first top-level winner for his sire
ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).— Saffie Joseph Jr. had sent two horses from Florida to California with an objective that went far beyond simply winning another high-profile event. Forged Steel and Caldera (Liam's Map) were in pursuit of a G1 victory to secure their future stallion prospects, and the Goodwood Stakes (G1) presented the ideal opportunity. The outcome could hardly have unfolded better: first and second, in that exact order.
Forged Steel claimed the lion's share of the purse by outside-stepping his stablemate by 1 1/4 lengths, proving once again that Santa Anita Park brings out his absolute best form.
The son of Vekoma had previously visited the Arcadia oval in May to contest the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2-2,000 m), a trip that culminated in a dominant, gate-to-wire 9 1/2-length victory.
This time around, tactics were adjusted, yet the result proved nearly as decisive. Taif (Arrogate), one of the contenders sent out by Bob Baffert and dismissed at 25-1, bounded out early to set a fast pace, posting an opening quarter in 22s97. Edwin Gonzalez declined to engage in an early duel, comfortably settling Forged Steel in second and waiting for the right moment to pounce.
That moment arrived as they rounded the far turn. Gonzalez pressed the accelerator, Forged Steel swept to the lead with authority, and the race was virtually settled long before reaching the wire. He built a 2-length advantage in mid-stretch before comfortably holding sway to cover the 1,800 meters in 1m48s48.
“When I made my move at the 600-meter mark, I ranged up past the leader and let him catch his breath for a moment while waiting for the back-runners,” explained Gonzalez. “Once we straightened into the lane, I asked him just once, and he responded generously.”
For the jockey, the victory carried added significance, marking his first career G1 triumph in the United States.
Behind him, Caldera finished resolutely to complete the dream afternoon for Joseph. Charging from fourth, he secured second place, 1 3/4 lengths clear of Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), the 2025 Goodwood winner and 6-5 favorite who was returning from a layoff.
“This Is Our Breeders’ Cup”
Joseph had been remarkably direct before the race regarding the importance he assigned to the cross-country trip.
“This could prove instrumental in securing stallion careers for both colts,” he had noted. “One is by Vekoma and would become his first G1 winner if Forged Steel gets the job done. The other is by Liam’s Map. This is our Breeders’ Cupright now.”
The mission was fully accomplished, though ironically, the victory wound up unlocking the door to the actual Breeders’ Cup.
The Goodwood forms part of the Win and You’re In challenge series, meaning Forged Steel automatically earned a guaranteed, fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland.
The 4-year-old had experienced a vastly different outcome during his previous West Coast venture. After capturing the Hollywood Gold Cup, he traveled to Del Mar for the Pacific Classic (G1), where he finished a disappointing seventh.
Rebounding back at Santa Anita, he resurfaced in peak condition. Following his May victory, Michael Iavarone's TCC Stables acquired a stake in the colt, joining the existing ownership group of C2 Racing Stable and Mathis Stables.
“I watched his performance in the Gold Cup, and it was flat-out impressive,” Iavarone stated. “I felt that if we came back here and he stayed within striking distance of the early pace, the cutback in distance would suit him perfectly. I felt Edwin had the race firmly in hand from about the 800-meter mark on.”
A Historic G1 Milestone for Vekoma
The victory also held monumental importance for Vekoma, establishing Forged Steel as his inaugural G1 winner.
The stallion, one of the elite sire-line successors to Argentine champion Candy Ride, has compiled a remarkable commercial and track record since his first crop debuted. He topped the freshman sire standings in the United States in 2024, led second-crop sires in 2025, and currently leads the third-crop sire list.
Through 2026, he has already produced five additional graded stakes winners: Bottas, Mi Bago, Brachetto, Alpyland, and Mad House. He stood the current season at Spendthrift Farm for a fee of US$ 100,000.
Bred in Kentucky by Richard Wilson, Forged Steel is out of Scorecard (Tale of the Cat). C2 Racing Stable had originally acquired him for US$ 190,000 at the 2024 OBS March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
While Joseph was unable to attend the race in person, leaving the saddle duties in the capable hands of assistant Julia Ezra while utilizing the local barn facilities of Dan Blacker, distance proved no obstacle. Forged Steel secured his first G1 victory, dramatically enhanced his future stud value, crowned Vekoma as a top-tier sire, and led home Calderato complete an elusive 1-2 sweep. The Goodwood was, in Joseph's eyes, their Breeders' Cup. Now, after such a dominant display, it may simply serve as the launching pad to it.
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