Run at 1 mile on the grass course, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, restricted to male 2-year-olds, is often a forecast for the top turf horses of the future.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

RESULTS: HENRI MATISSE (IRE) TAKES BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF

DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 1, 2024) - Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith et al's Henri Matisse (IRE) ($9.80) rallied from far off the pace to post a neck victory over Iron Man Cal to win the 18th running of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) on Friday at Del Mar.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Henri Matisse completed the mile over a firm turf course in 1:34.48. It was the second victory of the afternoon for O'Brien and Moore, who teamed to win the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) with Lake Victoria (IRE).

O'Brien now has 20 victories in the World Championships to tie D. Wayne Lukas for the most all time. Moore has 16.

Dream On set a pressured pace while being hounded by Zulu Kingdom (IRE) and Mentee as Henri Matisse raced 10th of 12 down the backside. On the far turn, Henri Matisse began picking off horses and swung wide into the stretch. He hit the front at mid-stretch and held off the late bid from Iron Man Cal who held second by a half-length over Aomori City (FR) who rallied from last to get third.

The victory was worth $520,000 and improved Henri Matisse's earnings to $783,148 with a record of 6-4-1-0. Henri Matisse is a 2-year-old son of Wootton Bassett (GB) out of the Pivotal mare Immortal Verse (IRE).

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Al Qudra (IRE)

While some juveniles may only race twice or three times before the Breeders' Cup, Al Qudra (IRE) has been a busy 2-year-old.

Before August started, the son of No Nay Never already had raced five times and notched a stakes win.

Owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, Al Qudra captured the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot on July 27 in that fifth start.

He prevailed in the 7-furlong stakes by 2 1/4 lengths.

Al Qudra headed to North America for his next start, the bet365 Summer Stakes (G1) going a mile at Woodbine. Racing far back early in the field of 10, Al Qudra rallied seven wide into the stretch with eventual winner New Century (GB) to his outside. At mid-stretch, leader Dream On began to drift out forcing Al Qudra into New Century and then bumped Al Qudra again in deep stretch as New Century had clear sailing for a 1 1/4-length victory with Al Qudra second.

Al Qudra posted his first victory in his third start, winning by 2 1/2 lengths in a June 4 maiden race at Lingfield on an all-weather surface.

He was also fifth by a length in the Coventry Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot.

Out of the Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) mare Piece of Paradise (IRE), Al Qudra was bred by Rockfield Farm and purchased for $539,385 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Godolphin is the all-time Breeders' Cup leader in wins (18) and earnings ($29.4 million) among owners. It has received the Eclipse Award as the leading owner the past four years and six times overall.

Appleby has won 10 Breeders' Cup races, including the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1) with Master of The Seas (IRE) in 2023. He recorded three wins at the 2022 World Championships: Mischief Magic (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint, G1), Modern Games (IRE) (Mile) and Rebel's Romance (Turf, G1).

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Aomori City (FR)

Godolphin's Aomori City (FR) entered the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) picture by recording a victory in the July 30 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes (G2) at Goodwood.

The 2-year-old son of Oasis Dream trained by Charlie Appleby pulled away in the final furlong and prevailed by 1 ¾ lengths in the 7-furlong turf stakes.

"We had toyed with the idea of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf for Aomori City over the past couple of weeks," Appleby said. "Al Qudra went and won on Saturday and he's probably a horse we'll pinpoint towards that race. It doesn't mean we can't run two in it. We'll keep all options open for Aomori City. On the evidence of what we saw in the July Stakes, we thought coming into this race that stepping up to seven (furlongs) would suit, and he cut it at a decent level there. Today was a marked improvement on what we saw (before). He was neat. He had to be brave there. He got tightened up on the turns, and that does no harm in educating them towards the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf."

Out of the Shamardal mare Setsuko (FR), it was his second win in three career starts.

Aomori City returned to action Sept. 15 at the Curragh and finished fourth of eight in the 7-furlong National Stakes (G1) over good ground. He finished 3 3/4 lengths behind the victorious Scorthy Champ (IRE).

Aomori City won his June 13 career debut at Nottingham and then was third June 11 in the Kingdom of Bahrain July Stakes (G2) at Newmarket.

The bay colt was bred by S C E A Haras De Saint Pair and S A S Ec.

Godolphin is the all-time Breeders' Cup leader in wins (18) and earnings ($29.4 million) among owners. It has received the Eclipse Award as the leading owner the last four years and six times overall. Godolphin also won the Eclipse Award as the top breeder in 2023 and 2022.

Appleby has won 10 Breeders' Cup races, including the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF (G1) with Master of The Seas (IRE) in 2023. He recorded three wins at the 2022 World Championships: Mischief Magic (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint, G1), Modern Games (IRE) (Mile) and Rebel's Romance (Turf, G1).

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Dream On

Dream On showed a nice turn of speed in his first taste of Grade 1 competition. He was third early in the Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine and then forged to the lead turning for home. The son of Not This Time enjoyed a 1 1/2-length margin at the eighth pole but then tired and finished third by 2 lengths to New Century (GB).

It was his fourth career start for trainer Mark Casse and came after a second in the Soaring Free Stakes (Listed) also at Woodbine.

Bred by Aaron and Marie Jones, he is out of the Discreet Cat mare Mamma Kimbo and was purchased for $380,000 at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.

Dream On is owned by D J Stable, which is run by Leonard Green and his son, Jonathan. D J Stable owned Wonder Wheel. winner of the 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and the champion 2-year-old filly of that year. D J also owned a share of 2018 Juvenile Fillies winner Jaywalk, who was also named the top 2-year-old filly.

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Henri Matisse (IRE)

Henri Matisse (IRE) started his career for trainer Aidan O'Brien in brilliant fashion by winning his first three starts, capped by a victory in the Aug. 24 Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes (G2) at the Curragh.

Prior to that he captured the Gain Railway Stakes (G2), also at the Curragh.

He suffered his first loss when second in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) and most recently was fifth in the Oct. 6 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Stakes (G1) at Longchamp.

A son of Wootton Basset (IRE), he is out of the Group 1-winning Pivotal (GB) mare Immortal Verse (IRE) was bred in Ireland by Immortal Verse Syndicate.

Henri Matisse, who bears the name of the famous French artist, is owned by the Coolmore partners of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and Merriebelle Irish Farm.

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Iron Man Cal

A stretch out to a mile brought out the best in Iron Man Cal as the son of Collected captured a Sept. 7 maiden race for 2-year-olds at Del Mar by 2 1/2 lengths in his second career start.

Ridden by Antonio Fresu and trained by Phil D'Amato, Little Red Feather Racing's Iron Man Cal was timed in 1:36.05 for the mile on firm turf. The bay colt was sent off as the 2-1 favorite in the field of nine.

The performance marked a nice step forward from his Aug. 2 debut at Del Mar when he finished fourth in a 5-furlong sprint on the grass.

Iron Man Cal stepped into stakes company Oct. 6 at Santa Anita in the 1-mile Zuma Beach (G3) and finished second a head in back of Artislas. However, he was bumped by that rival in deep stretch and was elevated to the victory via disqualification.

Out of the Kitten's Joy mare Joyful Dream, he was bought for $130,000 from the Airdrie Stud consignment at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Little Red Feather Racing is a partnership founded by Billy Koch, now a managing partner. He is the grandson of the late Hollywood producer Howard W. Koch, whose films include "Airplane!" and "Ghost."

The name Little Red Feather comes from an Indian character in a bedtime story his grandfather would read to Koch.

Gary Fenton, a former entertainment attorney with the William Morris Agency, also serves as managing partner. He is a member of The Jockey Club and became a TJC steward in 2024.

Little Red Feather has roughly 500 active partners and 100 horses. Among past members of the partnership are LeBron James and Tom Brady.

Founded in 2002, the partnership won the 2004 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) with Singletary.

Iron Man Cal was bred by the late Brereton C. Jones. Jones, who passed away in 2023, was Governor of Kentucky from 1991-95.

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Mentee

A check of Mentee's breeding would suggest looking for him on dirt in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. He is, after all, a full brother to Fierceness, winner of last year's Juvenile and the 2023 champion 2-year-old male.

The son of City of Light, bred and owned by Mike Repole of Repole Stable, set a track record on dirt when he won his June 15 debut at Aqueduct, covering 5 furlongs in :56.97.

But after finishing sixth in the Hopeful Stakes (G1), Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher opted to switch Mentee to turf and he responded with a 3 1/2-length victory in the 6-furlong Futurity Stakes (G3) that led to the decision to run in the Juvenile Turf (G1).

Mentee is out of the Stay Thirsty mare Nonna Bella, who was named for Repole's late grandmother. Stay Thirsty won the 2011 Travers Stakes (G1) and 2012 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) for Repole and Pletcher.

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Minaret Station

Minaret Station entered the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) picture in a big way as he captured the Oct. 6 Bourbon Stakes (G2) in a 38-1 shocker.

Owned and bred by OXO Equine and trained by Will Walden, Minaret Station notched a 1 1/2-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile grass stakes at Keeneland that was part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series and awarded him a free spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

It was the third career start for the son of Instilled Regard and came after a neck victory in a Sept. 6 maiden race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Bred in Kentucky, he is out of the Sir Prancealot (IRE) mare Beau Recall (IRE), who was a multiple Grade 2 winner and $1.4 million earner.

OXO Equine is owned by Larry Best, the Chief Financial Officer of Boston Scientific Corp. He started OXO Equine in 2017 and has won Grade 1 stakes with Instilled Regard and Cambier Parc.

Walden is the son of Elliott Walden, President, CEO and Racing Manager of WinStar Farm and a former trainer. Will Walden started training in 2022 and won his second graded stakes with Minaret Station.

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Monumental (IRE)

** coming soon **

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New Century (GB)

New Century (GB) became a stakes winner in his fourth start as the son of Kameko prevailed in the Stonehenge Stakes Aug. 14 at Salisbury.

The victory in the mile turf stakes was the second in four starts for New Century, who is trained by Andrew Balding. The listed stakes attracted only three starters.

New Century added to his resume in his next start as he rallied from last in a field of 10 to post a 1 1/4-length victory over Al Qudra (IRE) in the 1-mile bet365 Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine on Sept. 14.

Owned by Qatar Racing Limited, the bay colt was previously second by 2 1/4 lengths to Al Qudra (IRE) in the July 27 Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot.

After finishing fourth to Al Qudra in his June 4 debut on an all-weather surface at Lingfield Park, New Century posted his maiden win June 28 in a 7-furlong turf test at Doncaster.

Out of the Street Cry (IRE) mare Potent Embrace, he was bred by the Potent Embrace Partnership.

Qatar Racing was a co-owner of Caravel, winner of the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) at 42-1 odds. Also owned by Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables, Caravel earned $1,983,327 in her career. Qatar Racing also owned a share of 2020 Kentucky Oaks (G1) Shedaresthedevil and raced Kameko, the sire of New Century.

Andrew Balding is the son of well-known European trainer Ian Balding. He has yet to win a Breeders' Cup race but did win the 2000 Guineas with Kameko in 2020.

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Satono Carnaval (JPN)

Satono Carnaval (JPN) displayed early promise on turf as he captured the July 13 Hakodate Nisai Stakes (G3) at Hakodate in Japan.

The race was contested at 6 furlongs on turf for 2-year-olds and the son of Kitasam Black (JPN) recorded a 1 1/4-length victory to improve his record to 2-for-2 for owner Hajime Satoni and trainer Noriyuki Mori.

Sent off as a 12-5 favorite, he was fourth early on and then surged to the lead in the final furlong. A winner at 7 furlongs in his career debut, he was timed in 1:11.70 in his initial stakes win.

Satono Carnaval was ridden by 20-year-old jockey Daisuke Sasaki, who posted his first group victory.

The 2-year-old is out of the Numerous mare Realisatrice (FR)

Satono Carnaval was bred by Japan's famed Northern Farm in Abira, Hokkaido.

Owned by Katsumi Yoshida, Northern Farm was Japan's leading breeding operation for 12 consecutive years from 2010 to 2021.

Northern Farm bred and stood Deep Impact, a son of American classic winner Sunday Silence who won the 2005 Japanese Triple Crown and the 2006 Japan Cup (G1). He became Japan's champion sire for nine consecutive years, from 2012 to 2020.

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Seagulls Eleven (IRE)

Seagulls Eleven (IRE) may have just one win in five career starts but has been competitive against Europe's top 2-year-old grass runners, placing twice in group stakes.

The son of Galileo Gold (GB) is placed in Group 1 company after finishing third in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) Sept. 15 at the Curragh.

He was second prior to that in the July 13 Superlative Stakes (G2) at Newmarket.

In his most recent start on Oct. 12, Seagulls Eleven set the pace in the 7-furlong Darley Dewhurst (G1) at Newmarket before fading to fourth in a field of six, 4 lengths behind the victorious Shadow Of Light (GB).

Bred by Tally-Ho Stud out of the Kodiac (GB) mare Thrilled (IRE), Seagulls Eleven posted his maiden win in his second start June 7 at Haydock after finishing second in his May 24 debut, also at Haydock.

He is trained by Hugo Palmer, who started training in 2011. His first major winner was Covert Love (IRE), who captured the 2015 Irish Oaks (G1). The following year, he sent out Galileo Gold, the sire of Seagulls Eleven, to win the 2,000 Guineas (G1).

Palmer has sent out five Breeders' Cup starters, but has yet to record a finish better than sixth. Hierarchy (IRE) was sixth in the 2021 Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2 at the time) and Ocean Road (IRE) was also sixth in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1).

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Tenacious Leader

After a sixth-place finish in the Oct. 5 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1), Tenacious Leader will be moving back to turf for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).

Owned by Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm, Tenacious Leader started his career for trainer Todd Pletcher with a fifth on dirt, then broke his maiden Aug. 10 at Saratoga in a race that was contested on dirt but was originally scheduled for turf.

His lone turf start was a second in the Aug. 29 With Anticipation Stakes (G3)

He is a son of Not This Time, bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate. Out of the Curlin mare Diamonds and Rust, he was bought for $375,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Repole entered racing in 2005. He has three Breeders' Cup wins, also taking the 2010 Juvenile with Uncle Mo and the 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) with Vino Rosso, who he owned with Vinnie Viola, owner of the NHL's Florida Panthers.

Spendthrift Farm is one of the sport's top breeding and racing operations. Its roster of more than 25 stallions includes the champion sire Into Mischief. Anong the Grade 1 winners who have raced for Spendthrift include Beholder, a four-time champion and $6.1 million earner who posted three Breeders' Cup wins: the Distaff (G1) in 2016 and 2013 and Juvenile Fillies in 2012.

Court Vision won the 2011 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) for Spendthrift.

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The Waco Kid

The Waco Kid notched his initial stakes win Sept. 26 when he prevailed in the Tattersalls Stakes (G3) at 7 furlongs on turf at Newmarket.

It was the sixth career start for the son of Mehmas (IRE), who posted his maiden win July 20 at Newbury.

Prior to his stakes win, he was third in the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.

The Waco Kid is out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Catchingsnowflakes. He was bred in Ireland by Tally-Ho Stud.

He is owned by The Gene Genies II.

The January foal is trained by Hugo Palmer, who started training in 2011. His first major winner was Covert Love (IRE), who captured the 2015 Irish Oaks (G1).

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Zulu Kingdom (IRE)

Zulu Kingdom (IRE) paid a quick dividend for his new connections by winning the Aug. 29 With Anticipation Stakes (G3) at Saratoga in his first American start.

A son of Ten Sovereigns (IRE), he won his June 4 debut at Saint-Cloud in France for trainer Andre Fabre, whose wife Elisabeth was listed as the owner. He was then sold to group of Americans comprised of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss and Michael Caruso and sent to four-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Chad Brown.

Bred by Ecurie Peregrine SAS, Zulu Kingdom prevailed by a neck in the With Anticipation, a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes for 2-year-olds.

Zulu Kingdom ran his undefeated streak to three on Sept. 28 at Aqueduct in the Pilgrim Stakes (G2). Sent off as the odds-on favorite in the field of eight, Zulu Kingdom surged to the front passing the eighth pole and held on to prevail by a neck over Noble Confessor.

Brown, who was an assistant to Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel before he took out his trainer's license in 2007, has led the nation in earnings five times (2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016) and is sixth in all-time earnings with more than $295 million through Sept. 9. A two-time winner of the Preakness Stakes (2017 with Cloud Computing and 2022 with Early Voting), the Mechanicville, New York, native captured his fourth straight and seventh overall Saratoga training title in 2024.

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2024 BREEDERS' CUP RACE SCHEDULE

About the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf is an American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-old horses, run on a grass course at a distance of one mile. It is part of the Breeders' Cup thoroughbred championships, the de facto year-end championship for North American thoroughbred racing. All Breeders' Cups to date have been conducted in the United States, with the exception of the 1996 event in Canada.

The Juvenile Turf was run for the first time in 2007 during the first day of the expanded Breeders' Cup at host track, Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. The race received Grade II status in 2009.[1] The American Graded Stakes Committee further upgraded the race to Grade I status for 2011

Run at 1 mile on the grass course, the Juvenile Turf, restricted to male 2-year-olds, is often a forecast for the top turf horses of the future.

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