Breeders’ Cup Roundup: Kalpana, Moonrise qualify at Ascot

The 43rd running of the Breeders’ Cup is taking place on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland, just under 14 weeks from now.

The summer racing season is in full swing, and each week more horses are earning tickets to compete in the 14 Breeders’ Cup events via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifying races.

As July winds down and August beckons, let’s catch up on the latest Breeders’ Cup news and notes:

Kalpana upsets Calandagan in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth

Five-year-old mare Kalpana delivered a career-best performance to upset Calandagan in the prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (G1) at Ascot on Saturday, in the process earning a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Calandagan, who has accumulated half a dozen Group 1 wins in England, France, Japan, and Dubai, started as the clear favorite. But his rally from off the pace proved insufficient to chase down Kalpana, who raced in midfield before kicking on strongly in the stretch to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths.

The outcome marked a turnaround from the 2025 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, in which Kalpana finished one length behind Calandagan in second place.

Moonrise earns Juvenile Fillies Turf berth in Princess Margaret

Moonrise secured an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) when she battled to victory in Saturday’s Princess Margaret (G3) at Ascot.

Coming off a runner-up finish against males in the Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot, Moonrise faced fellow fillies in the Princess Margaret and held off a late rally from Dee’s Funny Girl to prevail by a neck.

Listenupshance, Built stamp Sprint credentials with graded wins

Listenupshance picked the perfect time to secure his first graded stakes win. The improving four-year-old gelding earned a Win and You’re In berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) when taking Saturday’s six-furlong Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar in determined fashion.

After vying for the early lead, Listenupshance opened up a 2 1/2-length lead in midstretch. Maximum Bourbon launched a late rally to make the finish close, but Listenupshance had just enough left to prevail by a nose in 1:09.33.

Another emerging Sprint contender, Built, picked up his first graded win in Saturday’s six-furlong Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2) at Saratoga.

A veteran of the 2024-25 Road to the Kentucky Derby, Built has improved since cutting back to sprint distances, and in the Vanderbilt he pressed the pace before taking over to triumph by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:09.14.

Counting Stars conquers Always a Runner in Coaching Club American Oaks

Although the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga isn’t a Win and You’re In qualifier to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), the 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-old fillies regularly churns out serious Distaff contenders.

The 2026 edition took place on Saturday, and Counting Stars proved much the best, leading all the way and turning back a challenge from Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Always a Runner to draw off and dominate by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:48.98.

The finish marked a reprise of last month’s Acorn (G1) over the same track in distance, in which Counting Stars defeated Always a Runner by 3 3/4 lengths. Now a two-time Grade 1 winner, Counting Stars is shaping up as one of the early favorites for the Distaff.

Sussex leads trio of qualifiers at Goodwood

Three Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifiers are taking place this week at Goodwood in England.

Wednesday’s Sussex (G1), a steppingstone to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), leads the lineup. The one-mile contest has drawn a stellar field, with 2000 Guineas (G1) hero Bow Echo and 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Gstaad set to battle against Jebel Hatta (G1) victor Opera Ballo and Queen Anne (G1) conqueror Ten Bob Tony.

Also on Wednesday, the Molecomb (G3) awards a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). The 11-horse field includes Pershaada and Crownbreaker, who finished fourth and fifth in the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot, plus Norfolk (G2) runner-up El Floridita, the unbeaten Adonius, and Coventry (G2) 17th-place finisher Ruler’s Pride.

Then on Thursday, a Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) entry is up for grabs in the Nassau (G1). Entries haven’t yet been finalized, but the undefeated Diamond Necklace is shaping up as a heavy favorite after winning the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (G1), and Prix de Diane (G1) in succession. See The Fire, the ninth-place finisher from the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, is another expected starter.

Clement L. Hirsch awards Distaff ticket

A Breeders’ Cup Distaff berth is up for grabs in the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar this Saturday.

Nine fillies and mares have entered the 1 1/16-mile race, including defending winner Seismic Beauty, who finished 11th as the favorite in the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Among Seismic Beauty’s key challengers are Santa Maria (G3) winner Simply Joking, Azeri (G2) heroine Majestic Oops, and Santa Margarita (G2) conqueror Om N Joy. 

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

Baby Vino
Costa Nova
Forever Young
Magnitude
Skippylongstocking

Breeders’ Cup Turf

Calandagan
Eccentric
Kalpana
Meisho Tabaru
Obataye
Ombudsman

Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Claret Beret
Herd Immunity
Immersive
Nitrogen

Breeders’ Cup Mile

Ombudsman
Sixpence
Ten Bob Tony
The Real Prince

Breeders’ Cup Sprint

Dark Saffron
Imagination
Listenupshance

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Herr Kitten
Nysos

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf

Embroidery
Se Va Colando
Wish List

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint

Kingdundee
Mission Central
Reef Runner

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

Moonrise

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

Orthodox