Last Saturday afternoon’s Futurity Stakes marked the final domestic Group 1 of 2025. However, top-tier targets remain elsewhere in the world. The first of the international showstoppers arrives in the shape of the two-day Breeders’ Cup Festival, which goes under starters orders at Del Mar on Friday evening.
As ever, the leading British and Irish yards will be represented at one of the biggest meetings of the US racing year. Leading the charge is a man who heads to Del Mar with Breeders’ Cup world records in his sights.
O’Brien Heads Stateside with Records in Reach
We are, of course, referring to the incomparable Aidan O’Brien, who continues to reel in high-class prizes at an almost unprecedented rate. With 20 previous Breeders’ Cup wins, O’Brien is tied with US legend D. Wayne Lukas for the all-time lead. It would take a brave punter to bet against him getting the one he needs to claim the record for himself in 2025.
O’Brien’s own world record of 28 Group/Grade 1 wins in a calendar year may also be in jeopardy. Heading into the Futurity Trophy meeting on 22 Group 1 wins for 2025, O’Brien looked up against it in his quest to surpass that mark. However, a win in the Doncaster feature and a Group 1 double in France make a new record a distinct possibility. If O’Brien is to enter the record books yet again, the following four stars are the most likely to take him there.
True Love – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
Having made its debut as an official Breeders’ Cup championship event in 2018, this 5f contest is one of the newer races on the menu. Training brothers Charlie and Michael Appleby claimed the 2022 and 2023 editions, while Ger Lyons registered a first success for Ireland when saddling Magnum Force to victory in 2024. Could this be the year O’Brien adds his name to the list of successful British and Irish trainers?
The Ballydoyle maestro is responsible for three of the final 12-runner field. Mission Central and Brussels bring solid form and appealing pedigrees to the table, but it is the filly, True Love, who currently sits atop the market. Never out of the first two in six starts, she arrives following a first Group 1 triumph in the Cheveley Park Stakes over 6f. Having mastered 22 rivals in the Queen Mary Stakes over 5f, she has the form to handle this drop back in trip.
Precise – John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
O’Brien claimed this prize for a second time when saddling star juvenile Lake Victoria to victory in 2024. Twelve months on, he is responsible for the red-hot favourite, Precise. Following an encouraging runner-up effort on debut at Fairyhouse, this daughter of Starspangledbanner has shot to the summit of the juvenile fillies’ division.
After her breakout success in the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood, Precise caused a minor shock when mastering stablemates Beautify and Composing in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. She then proved that was no fluke when sauntering clear in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile. She’s the clear market leader for the 2026 1000 Guineas following that Newmarket success and the one they all have to beat in this US venture.
Gstaad – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
With seven previous wins, O’Brien knows better than anyone what it takes to land this 1m prize. Having claimed the past three editions with Victoria Road, Unquestionable, and Henri Matisse, he bids to make it four in a row with Gstaad.
Also sired by strong speed influence Starspangledbanner, Gstaad displayed his sprinting ability when storming clear in the Coventry Stakes. He’s zero from three since that Royal Ascot outing, finishing second three times in 7f Group 1 events. He has done all his best work late in each of those races, losing out by a short neck, a head, and ¾l. This step up in trip may see him get his head back in front.
Minnie Hauk – Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf
O’Brien’s best chance outside of the juvenile division comes in a race he has won seven times in the past. Bidding to add her name to a list that includes High Chaparral, St. Nicholas Abbey, Found, and Auguste Rodin is dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk.
Having ended 2024 with only a maiden win to her name, this daughter of Frankel has rapidly ascended to superstar status. Unbeaten in races with the word “Oaks” in the title, wins in the Cheshire and Yorkshire Oaks bookended her English and Irish Classic double. Her winning streak came to an end in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but she lost nothing in defeat when finishing a head second to Daryz. In receipt of the weight-for-age and fillies’ allowances, Minnie Hauk is a general 10/11 chance for this £3,680,000 event.
With four favourites, including three at around the even money mark, O’Brien has an excellent chance of claiming a 21st Breeders’ Cup win (and possibly a 22nd, 23rd and 24th!). If True Love, Precise, Gstaad, and Minnie Hauk do all prevail, he will set a new Group/Grade 1 benchmark on Saturday evening.
