Touch of Destiny, the Uruguayan pride poised to make history at the Breeders’ Cup

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, a remarkable achievement that crowns years of progress and professionalism in the nation’s Thoroughbred industry.

The Midshipman colt, undefeated in six starts, will line up in the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1, 1600m), sharing the stage with none other than Full Serrano (Full Mast), the Argentine winner of this same race in 2024. Trained by Michael McCarthy and to be ridden by Uruguayan jockey Luis Cáceres, who traveled from Montevideo to take the mount, the dark bay looked in top form during his Saturday morning workout.

Early at Del Mar, Touch of Destiny breezed five furlongs in :59 1/5 on the main track, with Cáceres aboard—a move that fully pleased his trainer.

“He worked very well—exactly what we wanted to see from him,” said Michael McCarthy. “Last week, he went an easy mile, and this time we wanted him a bit sharper. He finished strongly, full of energy. We’re very happy with what we saw. Of course, we don’t yet know how the best horse from Uruguay will stack up against the top runners in the U.S.… but we’re about to find out.”

That sentiment perfectly captures the team’s spirit: the pride of representing a nation and the excitement of discovering how far a South American-bred colt with heart, pedigree, and grit can go on the world’s biggest stage.

Touch of Destiny arrives at Del Mar with an impeccable record, having dominated his generation at Maroñas and establishing himself as one of the finest horses ever produced by the Steinbruch family’s Haras Phillipson. His international leap is not just a sporting challenge—it’s a symbol of pride for an entire region.

With his steady stride and the quiet confidence of those around him, the undefeated Uruguayan colt prepares for a challenge that transcends borders. The Breeders’ Cup has always been a stage for dreams—and this year, one of them proudly carries the sky-blue flag of Uruguay.