LONGINES BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC - RUNNERS AND RIDERS - CJRFANTASY

Thursday, 28th October 2025 -  CJRF heads stateside this weekend for the pinnacle of the American racing calendar: the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. Taking place on Saturday, 1st November at 22.25 GMT, the $6 million feature brings together a world-class field of 9 contenders over 1¼ miles, with the winner earning not only a place in racing history but also a likely claim to Horse of the Year honours.

Despite the late scratch of morning line favourite Sovereignty, this year’s renewal is shaping up to be a truly star-studded affair, with a combined 21 Grade 1 victories and over $40 million in earnings amongst the field. With Sovereignty out, the race has arguably a more open feel, with the likes of Sierra Leone (2024 Classic winner), Journalism (2025 Preakness winner) and Fierceness (2025 Pacific Stakes winner) all fancying their chances. There’s also Forever Young, the apple of the Japanese eye and the only international contender making the trip over. After finishing an agonising third in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and filling the same position in last year’s Classic, he took the world’s richest race (Saudi Cup) earlier this year and looks set to go close in this contest once again, seeking to become the first ever Japanese Classic champion.

In order of XP:

·       Fierceness (20 XP) – Mike Repole-owned colt who finished 2nd in this contest last year, 1.5L behind Sierra Leone. Returns for another crack but he tends to flick between the brilliant and the disappointing, with eye-catching victories in the G2 Alysheba Stakes and G1 Pacific Stakes sandwiched by disappointing runs in the G1 Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap and G1 Whitney Stakes in 2025. Drawn 1 so will need to break well, but should go close if putting his best foot forward.  

·       Forever Young (30 XP) – Japanese raider who was 3rd behind Fierceness and Sierra Leone last year. Returned home to take the G1 Tokyo Daishoten at the end of 2024, before showing an incredible will to win in the G1 Saudi Cup in February when taking on the world’s best racehorse at the time, Romantic Warrior. Failed to follow up in the G1 Dubai World Cup (3rd of 11), but that may have come too soon after an almighty tussle in Saudi. Off the track until taking a local prep run at the start of October and looks to have plenty in his favour here.

·       Sierra Leone (40 XP) – 2024 Classic winner who is admirably consistent (never finished outside the first three in 13 career runs) but has only won once in 2025 (G1 Whitney Stakes – Fierceness 5th, Contrary Thinking 9th). Comes alive over this course and distance but will need a fast pace to aim at, being a strong closer.

·       Mindframe (50 XP) – son of Constitution who finished 2nd in the 2024 Belmont Stakes on only his third career run. Won his first Group race earlier this year, before taking back-to-back G1s in the Churchill Downs Stakes and Steven Foster Stakes (Sierra Leone 2nd). Encountered a rare unseating last time out but, assuming that’s had no ill effects, he could well continue to improve and hit the frame here. Tends to idle when out in front so will require a canny ride from jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. 

·       Journalism (50 XP) – 1st or 2nd in all eight career runs, including victories in the 2025 Preakness Stakes and G1 Haskell Stakes. Looks to be improving but he was 2nd to Fierceness last time out, so may have to settle for a runner-up spot once again.

·       Baeza (75 XP) – talented three-year-old who perhaps, in another year, would be closer to favouritism for this contest. Unfortunately, despite some strong runs this year, he has lost out to the (now scratched) Sovereignty three times and was also beaten Journalism in the G1 Santa Anita Derby. Finally enjoyed his day in the sun when taking the G1 Pennsylvania Derby last time out, but looks set for another supporting role here.

·       Antiquarian (75 XP) – winner of the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at the end of August, beating the likes of Sierra Leone, Mindframe and Contrary Thinking. However, the bare result doesn’t quite tell the full story, with Sierra Leone and the likes of White Abarrio, Disarm and Highland Falls (other proven G1 horses) all interfered with, whilst Mindframe lost his rider, leaving Antiquarian out in front. Barring an extraordinary repeat of events, he looks unlikely to follow-up here.

·       Nevada Beach (100 XP) – by far the least exposed contender, having only had three career runs since making his debut in June 2025. Won his last two, including when taking his form to a new level to win the G1 Goodwood Stakes, so is improving and could be anything.

·       Contrary Thinking (250 XP) – lightly-raced five-year-old with just the one win from four runs, in an allowance at Belmont At The Big A. Appears to have been employed as a pacemaker here by trainer Chad Brown, so he’ll go hard from the front and look to set things up for stablemate Sierra Leone.

Trends:

Repeats Unlikely – only one horse (Tiznow) in the history of the race has succeeded in winning back-to-back editions of the Classic.

Class Prevails – 23 of the last 25 winners were previous Grade 1 winners.

Value the Prep – 22 of the last 25 winners finished first or second in their final prep race.

Eyes on the Big Apple – more winners have come out of final prep races in New York than all other states combined, with 13 of the last 25 winners having their last run in the Big Apple.

Value Kentucky Breeding – 20 of the last 25 winners were bred in Kentucky.

Keep Youth on Side – 9 of the last 12 winners were aged three or four.

Wary of Favourites – only 3 of the last 12 winners were favourites.

CJRF Tip:

1st – Forever Young ©                     

2nd – Sierra Leone

3rd – Fierceness 

ENDS