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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