It’s been an exhilarating week in the world of thoroughbred racing, captivating bettors, breeders, and buyers alike with thrilling developments.
Bettors
This upcoming racing season promises a stellar roster of equine athletes, enticing bettors with the prospect of once again tackling the favorites on the industry’s grandest stages. Stars like Sierra Leone, who captured the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, will be back for fans to root for and wager on.
Sierra Leone (11), with Flavien Prat in the saddle, clinches victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Championship Saturday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California, on November 2, 2024. Tim Suddith/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup
The lineup for the next season features not only Sierra Leone but also the impressive Fierceness and Japan’s Forever Young, who were the top three finishers in this highly coveted race.
On November 7, Coolmore America excitedly announced via X that Sierra Leone will return for an ambitious 4-year-old campaign, much to the delight of racing enthusiasts.
Adding to the excitement, the $2 million BC Distaff winner, Thorpedo Anna, who is a strong contender for the Horse of the Year title, is also confirmed to return in 2025.
Furthermore, Full Serrano, the victor of the BC Dirt Mile, will be making a comeback as a 6-year-old competitor. Enthusiasts are eager to see if these remarkable horses will align their paths in the Classic event at Del Mar on November 1, 2025, especially with Thorpedo Anna in the lineup.
Breeders
For breeders, excitement is palpable as the new breeding season approaches, particularly with European standout City of Troy officially retired at the prestigious Coolmore Stud in Ireland. The highly sought-after National Treasure, winner of the 2023 Preakness, now stands at Spendthrift Farm, while Seize the Grey, the 2024 Preakness champion, is stationed at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch is also making his home at Spendthrift, promising a bright future for these exceptional stallions.
Among other notables retiring after the Breeders’ Cup are the brilliant mare War Like Goddess, recognized for her impressive ten graded stakes victories, alongside three-time Group 1 winner Bradsell, who notably triumphed in the 2023 BC Juvenile Turf (G1) but finished eighth in the Turf Sprint (G1). Domestic Product, who secured a third-place finish in the BC Dirt Mile, is also making the transition to a breeding career.
Buyers
For buyers, the Keeneland sale held prior to the Breeders’ Cup and the subsequent Fasig-Tipton Keeneland November Sale in Lexington have been monumental. Notably, the BC Filly & Male Turf (G1) champion Moira commanded a remarkable $4.3 million at auction, purchased by the prestigious international buyer Bales, while a share (2.5%) of 2022 Classic winner Flightline fetched an impressive $2.5 million.
Sierra Leone
Following his impressive performance in the Classic, Sierra Leone is currently enjoying a well-deserved break at Ashford Stud in Kentucky, recharging for the challenges that lie ahead.
“The owners of Sierra Leone are thrilled to announce that he will be racing as a 4-year-old,’’ Coolmore shared on X, highlighting the pride of owners Peter Brant, Brook Smith, and Coolmore representatives John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith. “He is now enjoying some time off at Ashford Stud, where he will rest and recharge before returning to the track,” the statement emphasized, generating excitement among racing fans.
Fierceness
On November 3, owner Mike Repole confirmed that his exceptional 2-year-old champion Fierceness, who captured the Florida Derby (G1), Jim Dandy (G2), and Travers (G1), is set to return to training in preparation for the upcoming campaign. He will be training at Todd Pletcher’s Palm Beach Downs winter base, focusing on maximizing his prowess on the track.
Fierceness had a challenging experience as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing 15th, but aspirations remain high as he heads to Ashford Stud upon retirement.
Forever Young
Japan’s Forever Young, who achieved commendable third-place finishes in both the Derby and the Classic, boasts an impressive 6-for-6 record back in his home country. There are high hopes that he will excel in the upcoming year and make a return for the Classic.
Thorpedo Anna
Trainer Kenny McPeek, who has his Derby-winning horse Mystik Dan back in training, stated that his exceptional filly, Thorpedo Anna, will be spending a month at his Magdalena Farm in Lexington before relocating to the Fair Grounds for the winter season. Plans for a race schedule specifically against fillies and mares are underway, with the possibility of another shot against the boys after her strong second-place finish behind Fierceness in the Travers. “If she was running the table against the fillies and mares, we’d consider the Classic next year,” McPeek shared with drf.com, hinting at Thorpedo Anna’s potential return to elite competition.
City of Troy
The Epsom Derby (G1) champion City of Troy has returned to Coolmore in Ireland, debuting with a stud fee of $81,000 (€75,000). This remarkable son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify demonstrated exceptional talent, winning six out of seven starts on European turf, though he faced a tough debut on dirt, finishing eighth in the Classic.
Moreover, Auguste Rodin, a six-time Group 1 winner, is scheduled to compete in the prestigious Japan Cup (G1) later this month before embarking on his breeding career, with a stud fee set at $32,000 (€30,000).
Newgate, Cogburn also retired
Newgate, who triumphed in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), concluded his racing career with a fourth-place finish in the Classic. He has since been retired to Three Chimneys Farm with a stud fee of $30,000, where he is expected to launch a successful breeding career.
Cogburn, renowned for his record-setting 5 ½-furlong victory in the Jaipur (G1) at an astonishing 59.80 seconds, wrapped up his racing career with a fifth-place finish in the BC Turf Sprint (G1). He has been retired to WinStar Farm, also with a stud fee of $30,000. Over his career, this five-year-old earned more than $2.4 million, leaving a lasting legacy in the racing world.
The writing team at US Racing, composed of both full-time and part-time contributors, brings a wealth of expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings, delivering quality coverage to racing enthusiasts.
**Interview with Racing Analyst, Emily Carter**
**Editor:** Welcome, Emily! Exciting times in thoroughbred racing, especially with news about Sierra Leone returning for his 4-year-old season after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic. What are your thoughts on this decision?
**Emily Carter:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exhilarating time indeed. Sierra Leone’s connections have made a brilliant move by keeping him in training. After clinching such a prestigious title, it’s thrilling for fans, bettors, and the entire racing community to see him back on the track. His performance at Del Mar was nothing short of spectacular, and this could set the stage for an even more impressive career.
**Editor:** Absolutely! The Breeders’ Cup Classic showcased some incredible talent. With competitors like Fierceness and Forever Young also returning, how do you see the upcoming races shaping up?
**Emily Carter:** It’s going to be a must-watch season! Fierceness has proven himself as a formidable contender, and I believe he’ll come back stronger. Likewise, Forever Young has consistently delivered impressive performances. The rivalry between these horses will bring an added layer of excitement to the tracks. With Sierra Leone in the mix, the upcoming races will certainly capture the attention of both traditional fans and new bettors.
**Editor:** Speaking of bettors, how do you think the return of these star horses might influence betting patterns this season?
**Emily Carter:** Well, bettors tend to flock to known entities, especially after a high-profile victory like Sierra Leone’s in the Breeders’ Cup. Expect to see heavy action on these returning stars. The public loves rooting for a champion, and I anticipate more money flowing toward them, especially in marquee races like the upcoming Classics. Bettors always seek value, and watching how these horses perform as 4-year-olds will be key to finding that.
**Editor:** Interesting insights! With breeding season approaching, how do developments like Sierra Leone and other champion horses returning to the races impact breeders?
**Emily Carter:** It’s huge for breeders! The excitement surrounding established champions returning keeps the interest high not just for racing, but for breeding. Legendary performances can enhance a stallion’s marketability, while fillies like Thorpedo Anna might have significant breeding value if they continue to perform well. The interconnection between racing success and breeding future generations cannot be overstated, and we’ll likely see a ripple effect in the industry as these stories develop.
**Editor:** Great points! Before we wrap up, any predictions for the 2025 racing season?
**Emily Carter:** I predict that Sierra Leone will continue to build upon his legacy. He has the talent and the support of passionate connections. I also see Fierceness making a strong comeback after a rocky Derby experience. And we must keep an eye on Forever Young for potential breakout performances. The narratives alone will create a riveting season ahead!
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Emily! We’re looking forward to seeing how these thrilling developments unfold in the world of thoroughbred racing.
**Emily Carter:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for the sport, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
