2025 Breeders’ Cup News: Japan Star Forever Young Wins Breeders’ Cup Classic

Take that, Sierra Leone. You too, Fierceness!

Japan superstar Forever Young turned the tables on his biggest foes and rolled to victory in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar on Saturday.

Although early favorite Sovereignty was scratched, the 10-horse field was still one of the deepest in the 42-year history of the 1 ¼-mile Classic. And it was a race that couldn’t come soon enough for Forever Young.

Both trainer Yoshito Yahagi and jockey Ryusei Sakai admitted they sought redemption in America after Forever Young finished third behind Sierra Leone and Fierceness in last year’s Classic also at Del Mar.

On a day that began with several upsets, including a record-setting payoff in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) -- Ethical Diamond ($57.40) -- Forever Young proved he’s among the world’s best racehorses.

Racing comfortably behind expected pacesetter Contrary Thinking, with Mindframe and Fierceness also in close pursuit, Forever Young (7-2) took the lead rounding the final turn into the stretch. Journalism briefly challenged, but dropped back and Sierra Leone (7-2), ridden by Flavien Prat, made his patented closing charge, but Forever Young held strong and won by a half-length.

Fierceness, the 3-1 favorite in the final race of his career, was third, another length back, and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism fourth. Mindframe was fifth, followed by Baeza, Nevada Beach, Antiquarian, and Contrary Thinking.

Winning time was 2:00.19. The winner returned $9 on a $2 win bet.

Forever Young has won all nine of his races in Japan and had three third-place finishes in his other three starts – to Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone on the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1), to Sierra Leone and Fierceness in the 2024 Classic, and to Hit Show and Mixto in the Dubai World Cup (G1) on April 12. He won a race in Japan on October 10 as preparation before coming to California.

“We got the No. 1 in America,” Yahagi, wearing one of his colorful hats -- a wide-rim black fedora–– said, raising a fist to the sky.

The victory was worth $3,640,000 and increased Forever Young’s earnings to $19,358,590 with a record of 10 wins and three thirds in 13 starts.

It was the third time a Japan-bred won a Breeders’ Cup race – the other two came at the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar – and Yahagi was the trainer. 

Chad Brown, who trains Sierra Leone and Contrary Thinking, gave credit to Forever Young.

“Huge run. Look, the winner ran a terrific race. He was up on the pace and kicked,’’ Brown said. “I think the track played against us today. Not to take anything away from the winner, but it’s been speed all day. I’m so proud of my horse’s effort.”

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint: Splendora gives Baffert 20th win

Splendora ($7.80) overtook stablemate Hope Road coming out of the final turn and cruised to a 4 ¾-length victory over Vahva in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), giving trainer Bob Baffert his 20th Breeders’ Cup win.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, the 4-year-old filly won for the third straight time and improved her record to five wins and four seconds in 10 career starts. Winning time for the 7 furlongs was 1:21.79.

The field was reduced to seven with the scratches of morning-line favorite Sweet Azteca, Tamara, and Fee Blanche.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Result: Shisospicy goes gate-to-wire

Shisospicy ($12.60) broke fastest off all and was never challenged in a gate-to-wire, 2 ½-length victory over Ag Bullet in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), the second of nine Breeders’ Cup races Saturday.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Shisospicy is the first 3-year-old filly to win this race. Winning time for the 5-furlong sprint was 55.24. Khadeem was third in the 10-horse field. This was the first Breeders’ Cup win for trainer Jose D’Angelo.

Breeders’ Cup Sprint Result: Bentornato wins for D’Angelo/Irad Ortiz team

Bentornato ($5.40), the 8-5 favorite, dusted off defending champ Straight No Chaser early on and beat Imagination by 2¼ lengths in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), giving trainer Jose D’Angelo and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. a second straight win.

The 4-year-old ridgling improved his record to seven wins and two seconds in 11 career starts. Winning time for the 6 furlongs was 1:08.20. For Ortiz, it was his 23rd overall Breeders’ Cup win. Dr. Venkman was third.

Straight No Chaser finished seventh in the 14-horse field.

Breeders' Cup Distaff Result: Scylla rolls for Sovereignty trainer Bill Mott

Scylla ($17.20) took jockey Junior Alvarado on a perfect trip around Del Mar, easily fending off Nitrogen and rolling to a 5 ½-length victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).

Seismic Beauty, the 6-5 favorite for trainer Bob Baffert, had a slight stumble at the start and finished 12th of 13.

The win had to be sweet for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, who also trained top Horse of the Year contenders Sovereignty, who was scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) earlier in the week.

Sylla, a 5-year-old mare owned by Juddmonte, closed out her career in style with an impressive resume of six wins and five seconds from 16 starts and earnings of more than $2.2 million.

Winning time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:48.07.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Result: Ethical Diamond ($57.40) upsets Rebel’s Romance

In the biggest stunner of the day, Ethical Diamond ($57.40) came flying through the stretch and blew past favorites Minnie Hauk, Rebel’s Romance, and Goliath and won the $5 million Breeders’ Turf (G1) for world-renowned steeplechase trainer Willie Mullins.

Dismissed at 25-1 odds – the 5-year-old gelding also runs in hurdle races – Ethical Diamond won by 1 ¼ lengths over Rebel’s Romance, who won the Turf in 2022 and 2024, and came up short in his quest to become a three-time winner.

The winner was ridden by Dylan McMonagle, last year’s leading rider in Ireland.

According to the Breeders’ Cup, the $57.40 return on a $2 win bet is a record for the Turf – Lashkari won Turf in the first Breeders Cup in 1984 and returned $53.40.

El Cordobes was third, with Amiloc fourth.

Breeders’ Cup Mile: Notable Speech comes through for Europe

Notable Speech, the favorite trained by Charlie Appleby, won the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) as Europe continued dominating this mile race on the turf.

Ridden by William Buick, the 4-year-old won the Woodbine Mile (G1) on Sept. 13 as a prep for the BC Mile. Notable Speech finished third in the 2024 BC Mile.

US Racing Team

The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.