Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Calandagan strikes in the Champion

The 2025 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar is 10 days away. Catch up on the latest news and developments with our weekly Breeders’ Cup Roundup:

Calandagan conquers Ombudsman, Delacroix in Champion Stakes

After months of action and dozens of races, the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series wrapped up with Saturday’s running of the Champion (G1) at Ascot in England.

Taking place over 1 1/4 miles on good turf, the Champion awarded a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Calandagan had already punched his ticket earlier in the season, but he reiterated his Breeders’ Cup qualifications with a resounding Champion triumph. 

Coming off back-to-back wins in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (G1), Calandagan kept his win streak rolling at Ascot. Facing a deep field, Calandagan rated off the pace before launching a powerful finish to defeat Juddmonte International (G1) winner Ombudsman by 2 1/4 lengths, with longshot Almaqam and Eclipse (G1) winner Delacroix rounding out the top four. The winning time was 2:03.19.

It remains to be seen where Calandagan will run next. The two-week turnaround to the Breeders’ Cup Turf could make a trip to Del Mar challenging. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard mentioned the Nov. 30 Japan Cup (G1) as a possibility.

Sovereignty leads Breeders’ Cup Classic workers

Many of the top contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) recently turned in important pre-race workouts. Here’s a rundown of the details:

Antiquarian: Working in company with stablemate Fierceness, Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) winner Antiquarian traveled five furlongs in 1:00.56 on Friday at Saratoga’s Oklahoma training track.

Baeza: In his third work since winning the Pennsylvania Derby (G1), Baeza went six furlongs in 1:14.20 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Fierceness: Last year’s Classic runner-up worked in company with Antiquarian at the Oklahoma training track and got five furlongs in 1:00.56.

Journalism: In one of his sharpest workouts since finishing second to Fierceness in the Pacific Classic (G1), Preakness (G1) winner Journalism clocked five furlongs in :59.20 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Locked: Fresh off a win in the Woodward (G2), Locked worked in company with stablemate Mindframe on Friday at the Oklahoma training track, breezing five furlongs in 1:01.49.

Mindframe: Stephen Foster (G1) winner Mindframe joined Locked to work five furlongs in 1:01.49 at the Oklahoma training track.

Nevada Beach: On Sunday at Santa Anita, the improving Goodwood (G1) winner Nevada Beach clocked six furlongs in 1:11.80.

Sierra Leone: Reigning Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone worked half a mile in :49.08 over the Oklahoma training track on Saturday.

Sovereignty: Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and expected Classic favorite Sovereignty worked five furlongs in 1:01.39 on Sunday at the Oklahoma training track. He’ll leave for Del Mar on Wednesday.

Jose Ortiz picks up the mount on Journalism

Jose Ortiz, who won the 2017 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey, has picked up the mount on Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Journalism.

Ortiz is replacing Umberto Rispoli, who has ridden Journalism in nine of his 10 starts, including wins in the Preakness, Haskell (G1), and Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Ortiz has won half a dozen Breeders’ Cup races through the years, but he’s still seeking his first triumph in the Classic. He’s ridden five times in the Classic, with fourth place ranking as his best finish.

Thorpedo Anna retired, will skip Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Thorpedo Anna, the acclaimed 2024 Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner, has been retired from racing and will not defend her Distaff title.

Thorpedo Anna enjoyed a productive 2025 campaign, winning four graded stakes, including the Personal Ensign (G1) and Apple Blossom H. (G1). But a subpar fourth-place finish in the Oct. 5 Spinster (G1) prompted the decision to retire the four-year-old filly.

Breeders’ Cup pre-entries slated for released on Oct. 22

The deadline to pre-enter horses in the Breeders’ Cup is today, Monday. The lists of horses pre-entered in the 14 championship races will be revealed on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. ET, with final entries and the post position draw taking place next Monday.

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers

The following horses have secured Win and You’re In berths to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series:

Breeders’ Cup Classic

Antiquarian
Costa Nova
Fierceness
Forever Young
Journalism
Hit Show
Mindframe
Nevada Beach
Ombudsman
Sierra Leone

Breeders’ Cup Turf

Calandagan
Danon Decile
Daryz
Delacroix
El Cordobes
Gold Phoenix
Intense for Me
Meisho Tabaru
Ole Crazy Bone
Ombudsman
Sinsel

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Cavalieri
Dorth Vader
Gin Gin
Sarawak Rim
Seismic Beauty
Thorpedo Anna

Breeders’ Cup Mile

Deterministic
Docklands
Gran Oriente
Jantar Mantar
Johannes
Maranoa Charlie
Notable Speech
One Stripe
Qirat
Rhetorical
Soul Rush

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Dark Saffron
Imagination
Lovesick Blues
Nakatomi
Patriot Spirit
Self Improvement
Straight No Chaser

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Book’em Danno
Diktaean
Dr. Venkman
Raging Torrent 
Touch of Destiny

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Ascoli Piceno
Barnavara
Bellezza
Double Grand Slam
Fallen Angel
La Kika
Minnie Hauk
Mission of Joy
She Feels Pretty
Whirl

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

Haulin Ice
Hope Road
Praying

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Ag Bullet
American Affair
Arizona Blaze
Asfoora
Bear River
Motorious

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

Intrepido
Napoleon Solo
Ted Noffey

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Explora
Tommy Jo

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf

Argos
Bottas
Benvenuto Cellini
Final Score
Gewan
Puerto Rico

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Corsia Veloce
Diamond Necklace
Ground Support
Imaginationthelady
Precise

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

Charles Darwin
Lady Iman