The big story in the build-up to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic was the scratching of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty. Even in the absence of the Bill Mott-trained star, many viewed this as the strongest renewal in the past 20 years.
Having finished first, second, and third in 2024, Sierra Leone, Fierceness, and Forever Young occupied the top three spots in the betting. Following his impressive Pacific Classic win, Fierceness just edged favouritism ahead of Japanese star Forever Young. Sierra Leone came next in his effort to join Tiznow as the only dual winner of this race.
Michael McCarthy’s Journalism scored top marks for consistency, having finished in the first two in all seven starts in 2025, including Grade 1 wins in the Santa Anita Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Haskell Stakes. Second to Fierceness over this course and distance in the Pacific Classic, he looked set to go well for Jose Ortiz, who took over in the saddle from Umberto Rispoli.
Sporting the same silks as Fierceness, Mindframe represented a strong second string for owner Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher. Three from four in 2025, his only defeat came when unseating Irad Ortiz in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Of the others, Baeza, Antiquarian, and Nevada Beach had all struck in Grade 1 company on their most recent outings. The last named of that trio represented Bob Baffert, whose four previous wins made him the most successful trainer in Breeders’ Cup Classic history. Rank outsider Contrary Thinking was only in the field to make the running for Sierra Leone.
Result
- 1st – Forever Young 7/2, Jockey: Ryusei Sakai, Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
- 2nd – Sierra Leone 39/10, Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Chad C Brown
- 3rd – Fierceness 17/5F, Jockey: John R Velazquez, Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £2,912,000
- 2nd – £952,000
- 3rd – £504,000
- 4th – £280,000
- 5th – £168,000
- 6th – £112,000
- 7th – £56,000
- 8th – £56,000
- 9th – £56,000
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- $2 Tote Win – $9.00
- $2 Tote Places – 1st – $3.20, 2nd – $2.80, 3rd – $3.40
- $1 Exacta – $29.80
- $1 Trifecta – $131.20
Recap
Fierceness broke well from his inside stall to take the early lead, as Contrary Thinking won the dash from the middle gates to join him. Forever Young and Mindframe came next, followed by Journalism, Antiquarian, and Nevada Beach. Baeza didn’t help his chances by missing the break, while defending champ Sierra Leone was deliberately held up in last.
As anticipated, the pace-making Contrary Thinking won the race for the lead as the runners turned into the back straight. Forever Young and Fierceness were well placed in behind, with Mindframe and Nevada Beach making up the next wave of two. Baeza was the only runner who looked up against it at this stage, with Sierra Leone last but travelling well.
With five furlongs to run, Contrary Thinking still led but didn’t move as smoothly as those in behind. Ryusei Sakai grabbed a tactical edge at this stage, moving Forever Young forward to trap Fierceness in a pocket to the inside. Mindframe moved up well to the outside, with Sierra Leone relegating Baeza to last as he began his move.
Turning for home, Contrary Thinking began to drop back through runners, leaving Forever Young to lead as the race began in earnest. Mindframe was right with him to the outside, with Journalism also making a forward move. Fierceness now stuck behind a wave of four runners into, with Sierra Leone right on his heels.
Kicking off the bend, Forever Young moved a length clear of the field. Mindframe and Journalism couldn’t go with him, but Fierceness stayed on up the rail while Sierra Leone began to charge down the outside. The challenge of Fierceness floundered when switched to the centre of the track, but Sierra Leone was eating into Forever Young’s advantage. Two lengths down with fifty yards to go, he closed to within half a length, but Forever Young held on for a momentous success for Japan. Fierceness finished third, as the same three horses occupied the podium as in 2024.
Japan had struck at the Breeders’ Cup Festival in the past, but never before in the flagship event. A huge achievement for trainer, jockey, and horse, who etched their names into Japanese racing folklore.
Runners
- 1. Fierceness – SP: 17/5F, Trainer: Todd Pletcher, Jockey: John R Velazquez
- 2. Baeza – SP: 71/10, Trainer: John Shirreffs, Jockey: Hector I Berrios
- 3. Nevada Beach – SP: 188/10, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Jockey: Mike E Smith
- 4. Contrary Thinking – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Chad C Brown, Jockey: Florent Geroux
- 5. Forever Young – SP: 7/2, Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi, Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
- 6. Sovereignty – SP: 13/8F, Non-runner
- 7. Sierra Leone – SP: 39/10, Trainer: Chad C Brown, Jockey: Flavien Prat
- 8. Mindframe – SP: 73/10, Trainer: Todd Pletcher, Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr
- 9. Journalism – SP: 48/10, Trainer: Michael McCarthy, Jockey: Jose L Ortiz
- 10. Antiquarian – SP: 178/10, Trainer: Todd Pletcher, Jockey: Luis Saez
Non-Runners
Sovereignty (fever)