Report from Japan

Flavien Prat knows not to get too excited about that day’s rides. But the racing gods shone down on him Nov. 2 as he set an Aqueduct record with seven wins, including a photo in the Red Smith (G2T).

Godolphin achieved a spectacular brace of wins Nov. 1 at Flemington Racecourse, each with homebred colts as Tentyris and Observer stamped their class when taking the Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1) and Victoria Derby (G1) respectively.

Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile, the two 3-year-olds in the field, showed their elders how it’s done in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) Nov. 2 at Tokyo Racecourse, finishing first and second.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, Breeders’ Cup Classic, Breeders’ Cup Turf, Breeders’ Cup Distaff, & more.

Owner Peter Brant has campaigned champion horses and has captured many of the world’s biggest horse races but in the closing Breeders’ Cup race of 2025 he checked another box with Gezora.

It is not uncommon for sharp-dressed trainer Todd Pletcher to be wearing a tie on a stakes afternoon. But on Nov. 1, the one he was sporting at Del Mar carried some personal significance. It belonged to his late mentor, D. Wayne Lukas.

All-sources handle for the two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar was $180,036,799, the third-highest wagering in the history of the event and an increase over the 2024 figure $179,218,631.

Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode three winners over the two-day 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships, won the 23rd Bill Shoemaker Award as the outstanding jockey for the marquee event at Del Mar.

Globe-trotting superstar Forever Young defeated an ultra-competitive field to capture the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.