The Europeans

This is a column about the European raiders for Breeders’ Cup 2025. But forgive me a moment to point something out. If you thought Ascot’s Champion Stakes was a classic, then this Saturday prepare yourself for a Classic of all classics at the Breeders’ Cup, with all the action live on Sky Sports Racing.

I know, I know, some of you are already reading this and saying, ‘but it’s dirt racing Matt, got no interest’. That’s fair enough. But, of course, it’s a crazy outlook for anyone who thinks they truly love horse racing. It doesn’t matter what surface thoroughbreds race on, finding an equine champion should still give you a buzz.

And boy have I got electric vibes going through my veins right now as I anticipate one of the greatest Classic fields of all time. That’s no exaggeration. I’m not dealing in clickbait here!

Sky Sports Racing will bring you every Breeders’ Cup race live, and the Classic is special. For a start, Sierra Leone, Fierceness and Japan’s Forever Young, who filled the first three spots in 2024, are back for more. They were the best of last year’s Classic generation.

But taking them on this time will be the monster three-year-old from 2025 in Sovereignty, as well as multiple Grade 1 hero Journalism – with regular partner Umberto Rispoli jocked off in favour of Jose Oritz - and Baeza from the same age group. Incidentally, Rispoli has said his kids cried for two hours when they were told of his bad news. The rider must be gutted, but was all decency when I spoke to him at the draw Monday.

Back to the Classic contenders though, and you can probably add five more Grade 1 winners to the smash-up in Mindframe, Antiquarian, Highland Falls, Locked and Nevada Beach so, while you enjoy checking out the raiding party, just remember that when you are at the Breeders’ Cup the Classic is everything.

That all said, Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk, 1000 Guineas favourite Precise, 2000 Guineas big player Gstaad and Classic hero Notable Speech are all strong players, although Precise and Gstaad have horrible draws. And that’s not even to mention International racing legend and dual Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Rebel’s Romance, who is back for more.

All in all, Breeders’ Cup 2025 promises to be a belter, as I take a closer look at the Euro contenders.

The Euro Challenge

FRIDAY  

21.45 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint - 5f  

BRUSSELS (1) (Aidan O’Brien)

Promising sprinter who was only beaten 3/4l by Wise Approach in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket when tongue tied for the first time. Was a warm favourite then for the Group 3 Cornwallis at Newmarket but went down by a nose to Beckford’s Folly. Had every chance then and he’s probably just below top class. However, really should be in the mix here. Stall 1 doesn’t make things easy.   

MILITARY CODE (2) (Charlie Appleby)

Looked really good making all in a novice at Ascot back in May. Blew out at Royal Ascot but then second in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown. Blew out again at Goodwood, and was last seen finishing second to Revival Power in a Listed event at York. Was only rated 99 for that run and will have to do a lot more here.   

ASPECT ISLAND (4) (James Owen)

Had five races so well experienced and has improved from his first two runs when he was sent off at 100-1 and 80-1 and showed nothing. Since then has won a nursery at Yarmouth off 76 and was a much-improved third to Beckford’s Folly in the Group 3 Cornwallis at Newmarket. That was his first try at 5f so maybe he liked the distance, but on what we know so far has absolutely no chance whatsoever.  

MISSION CENTRAL (7) (Aidan O’Brien)

A gelded son of No Nay Never, who landed the 2013 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and was second to Bobby’s Kitten in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Won a Group 3 at the Curragh in August but not at best in the Flying Childers at Doncaster although not beaten that far by Revival Power. Travelled well when landing the valuable juvenile race at Ascot on Champions Day but not for the first time showed a high head carriage. He can certainly run a bit but might get out of his comfort zone in the early stages here.   

HAVANA ANNA (8) (Donnacha O’Brien)

Useful filly who scored in Listed company at Naas before going down by only a nose to Afjan in the Group 3 Prix d’Arenberg at Longchamp. Did even better last time when only 3/4l behind True Love in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket when keeping on well over the 6f. Not absolutely sure this drop in trip will help her but an each-way player.  

TRUE LOVE (9) (Aidan O’Brien)

Top class filly with loads of experience. A brilliant winner of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and she has bettered that form on her last two starts, chasing home Power Blue in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and then denying Havana Anna by 3/4l in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes. She’s a great big thing for these tight bends, but on everything we know she’s the classiest of the European raiders. Surely the one to beat. Stall 9 could have been better but it’s not crazy wide and some like being higher in the sprints here in any case.   

23.05 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf - 1m

QUEEN OF HAWAII (2) (Joseph O’Brien)

By Kingman out of a Galileo mare so bred to be useful and she already looks a strong stayer at this trip. A maiden success at Leopardstown was followed up by a victory in a Group 3 at the Curragh. Was impressive there and not to be underestimated. Could be the value place bet. Stall 2 looks perfect.  

BALANTINA (10) (Donnacha O’Brien)

Has some fair form in the book, like a third to Venetian Sun in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and a second to Green Spirit in a Group 3 in France. However, was miles behind Composing in the Group 2 Debutante last time and while faster ground may help her, there is nothing to really suggest she will improve for going this trip for the first time.   

PACIFIC MISSION (12) (Andrew Balding)

Bred to stay 1m well and followed up a novice win at Kempton with a decent enough second to Aylin in the Group 2 May Hill at Doncaster. Stamina is no issue, but she was slowly away that day and if she does that here she will be in trouble early. That all said, I expect her to finish off strongly and she might well hit the frame but draw doesn’t help the cause.  

PRECISE (13) (Aidan O’Brien)

Currently the ante-post favourite for the 2026 1000 Guineas. Her sire Starspangledbanner did nothing in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but this filly has won four of her five starts and banged in the Group 3 Prestige at Goodwood before taking the Group 1 Moyglare and Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket from the talented Venetian Lace. She’s absolutely the form choice but has a horrid draw.  

00.25 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf - 1m  

NORTH COAST (6) (Joseph O’Brien)

A maiden winner at Down Royal and banged in a Group 3 in a small field at Leopardstown. However, stuffed a long way by Zavateri in the Group 1 National and needs to improve plenty for a first try on fast ground. Perfect draw in stall 6.  

ARDISIA (10) (Hugo Palmer)

Has run 11 times and still improving! Only rated 92 when taking the Listed Two-Year-~Old Trophy at Redcar but then went to Ascot and pushed Mission Central close home going down by just 1/2l. A terrier…but hard to think he will be good enough even with so much experience under his belt. Stall 10 is a too little wide for me.   

GSTAAD (14) (Aidan O’Brien)

Currently second favourite for the 2026 2000 Guineas. Has been racing at a top level all season, and having won the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot – form not that great – he has chased home Venetian Sun, Zavateri and Gewan in three Group 1s, namely the Morny, National and Dewhurst. Has kept on really well over 7f so this mile should be perfect. Hard to stop but a horrible draw to work from.   

SATURDAY  

19.41 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint - 5f

ARIZONA BLAZE (3) (Adrian Murray)

Tough sprinter. Rated 113 when taking the Group 1 Flying Five at the Curragh when last seen. Also second in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, and liked it here last year when flying home late to finish second to Magnum Force in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Was also once third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the balance of his form suggests he’s right in the mix. Great draw in stall 3.  

KHAADEM (4) (Charlie Hills)

Wonderful old boy who landed the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2023 and 2024. Despite a slow start which left him off the pace, he came through late and fast to win a Grade 2 at Keeneland last time and he could easily be player if in the same sort of form. Calidoscopio won the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Marathon at the age of 9 and is currently the oldest Breeders’ Cup winner although the Marathon no longer exists! Will wear blinkers this time and a great draw in stall 4.  

SHE’S QUALITY (7) (Jack Davison)

Probably has a few pounds to find to beat the best of these but third in the Abbaye when last seen as a 20-1 shot. Her fourth in the Flying Five behind Arizona Blaze also shows she won’t be that far away and she’s better right now than she’s every been. Perfect draw so while she will probably find a few too good can’t be totally dismissed.  

BUCANERO FUERTE (11) (Adrian Murray)

Was rated 115 when third to stable companion Arizona Blaze in the Group 1 Flying Five at the Curragh when last seen. Had won well at Naas and the Curragh before that and what makes him interesting is trying fast ground for the first time. If he improved just a bit he’s a huge player.   

21.41 Breeders’ Cup Turf - 1m4f  

REBEL’S ROMANCE (1) (Charlie Appleby)

A racing hero and international star. Going for a third success in this event at the age of seven, having taken the prize in 2024 and 2022. Is arguably as good as ever right now, with a fine third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Calandagan and Kalpana, the one-two, both scooted home recently on Champions Day) and a Group 1 win in Germany followed by a Grade 1 at Belmont at the Big A. If anyone beats him, the chances are they will be the winner here. I suspect Stall 1 makes things tough.   

GOLIATH (2) (Francis-Henri Graffard)

Fascinating runner put in at great expense! Most of his form would suggest he wants soft ground, and he once beat Hamish on heavy in France. However, he denied the 2024 Arc heroine Bluestocking on a fast surface in last year’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and was sixth in the Japan Cup. Back to winning ways in a Group 1 in Germany last time and while he’s not a horse I like much he’s trained by a genius and would in no way be a shock victor. No excuses from stall 2.   

AMILOC (3) (Ralph Beckett)

Gets a bit of weight as a three-year-old and hasn’t done much wrong, having only been beaten once and that was last time in the Group 1 Irish St Leger when having a first try at 1m6f behind Melbourne Cup hope Al Riffa. Was very good in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot, a race that took plenty out of him, but there is a worry he was sluggish at Glorious Goodwood as you don’t want to do that here. Must do more to win this but who knows how much more he can improve? Goes well on fast ground.   

WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE (6) (James Owen)

Well placed to get a huge prize in Kentucky Downs last time and his second to Merchant in desperate ground at Goodwood wasn’t bad at all. However, is held on past from by Amiloc and El Cordobes and he’s not for me.   

SILAWI (7) (Hamad al Jehani)

In belting form taking the Group 3 Winter Hill (rated just 99) and Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine. That last success is a massive career high, and while it may tempt some, I couldn’t have him on my mind for this even though the third that day Nations Pride is a decent enough animal.  

MINNIE HAUK (8) (Aidan O’Brien)

Outstanding Classic-winning three-year-old filly, who banged in the Epsom and Irish Oaks and then chased home Daryz in the Arc at Longchamp. This was her target after her Yorkshire Oaks success, but she headed to France due to an injury to stable companion Whirl. Will love the ground and is the one to beat provided her latest excursions have not got the better of her. Stays really well and gets weight from the boys. Stall 8 is workable.   

EL CORDOBES (10) (Charlie Appleby)

A lurker here. Often a front-runner in the UK, but closed in to deny Rebel Red in a Grade 1 at Saratoga and then was never going to be suited by a small field and tactical gallop when behind his old friend Rebel’s Romance in the Turf Classic at Belmont at the Big A. Ravaged Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket and it won’t surprise me at all if he hits the frame.   

RASHABAR (11) (Brian Meehan)

Trainer knows how to win Breeders’ Cup races and Rashabar is talented, having chased home Jonquil in the Greenham and finish fourth to Field Of Gold in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Beaten over 1m2f on his last two starts and it’s a leap of faith to think he will stay this distance in this class.

ETHICAL DIAMOND (14) (Willie Mullins)

Only Willie Mullins could run a horse once 10^th in the Triumph Hurdle in this! However, while he has a few pounds to find with the best of these, he was a ready winner of the Ebor at York under a big weight. The ground will be no issue, and one could see him dropped out and ridden for a place. Horrible draw in 14, but with his running style might not be such a hindrance.   

23.05 Breeders’ Cup Mile - 1m

NOTABLE SPEECH (2) (Charlie Appleby)

Classy miler who took the 2024 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Was only third in this race last year when sent off the 23-10 favourite but stayed on well that day going the two turns Stateside for the first time. I suspect he wasn’t at his best that day, but here, he comes off a win in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile which should be the perfect preparation.   

SAHLAN (3) (Francis-Henri Graffard)

Big runner for a class handler. A lightly raced colt in cracking form, having beaten Ciaran in a Group 3 at Deauville before denying the fast-finishing Rosallion by a short-head in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp. Miles behind Jonquil in the Poulains earlier in the year but there is no doubt he’s coming good at the right time. Hard to dismiss.   

THE LION IN WINTER (4) (Aidan O’Brien)

Has been touted as a worldy but hasn’t quite come up to expectations. Was only 7-1 for the Derby at Epsom but was never sighted behind Lambourn and finished 14^th. He should stay, but dropped in trip recently he’s looked much happier, finishing third to Sahlan in the Prix du Moulin and second to 100-1 scorer Cicero’s Gift in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Stakes. It’s not impossible at all he goes well here and he hasn’t had good to firm ground for a long time. It suited him at York in the 2024 Acomb Stakes. Perfect draw in stall 4.  

JONQUIL (10) (Andrew Balding)

The three-year-old one-mile colts form in Europe is open to lots of question, but Jonquil has had a good season, chasing home Henri Matisse in the Group 1 French 2000 Guineas. He was back to winning ways in the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood before a fourth to Rhetorical in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland. Stayed on well off the pace that day so the experience Stateside will have done him good. Is he good enough? I’m not sure to be honest. Probably a place player.   

QIRAT (13) (Ralph Beckett)

Shock 150-1 winner of the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood from the now retired Rosallion. He’s a decent enough animal and might try and dictate here. But if he misses the break I suspect it will be curtains very quickly and stall 13 makes life very hard in that scenario.   

00.25 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf - 1m3f

ATSILA (3) (Donnacha O’Brien)

Not beaten far at all when third to Fallen Angel in the Matron Stakes but was a long way behind that rival last time at Newmarket in the Sun Chariot. Up in trip now for the first time but she would have to improve loads for that to feature. Was nearly 5l behind Cinderella’s Dream in the Falmouth.

GEZORA (5) (Francis-Henri Graffard)

A Classic winner, having landed the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) earlier in the season with Bedtime Story behind. Was a decent second in the Group 1 Vermeille but did nothing in the Arc behind Daryz when only 13^th at a big price. She’s better than that but obviously needs to bounce back. Perfect draw in stall 5.  

DIAMOND RAIN (6) (Charlie Appleby)

Not as good as stable companion Cinderella’s Dream and is yet to prove herself at this trip. That all said, stayed on really well when second to She Feels Pretty in the EP Taylor at Woodbine last time and she’s worth her place. Will need one or two to underperform to take the prize.   

CINDERELLA’S DREAM (9) (Charlie Appleby)

The only time she has gone this far was when second to Moira in this race last year. Has generally been over a mile of late, including when landing the Group 1 Falmouth on the July Course at Newmarket. Was well beaten by Fallen Angel last time at that trip but not disgraced when fourth to Quisisana in the Prix Jean Romanet over 1m2f at Deauville. A definite player but drawn a little wide in stall 9.  

BEDTIME STORY (11) (Aidan O’Brien)

Yet to win this year, but this might be her trip. A fair fourth behind Kalpana in the Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day and also third to Aventure in the Group 1 Vermeille in France. Was also second to re-opposing Gezora in the Prix de Diane. Quite capable of getting placed but a little wide in stall 11.  

SEE THE FIRE (14) (Andrew Balding)

Very consistent filly. Has never raced this far but wasn’t beaten miles behind Ombudsman in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York and was class when taking the Middleton there in May. On everything we know, though, she’s not good enough to beat some of these. Horrible draw in stall 14.