Bill Mott Masterclass: ‘Once-in-A-Lifetime’ reigns supreme in the Breeders’ Cup Order
Empire wins the 2016 Breeders Cup ClassicLillian Davis Photo
It concluded the Breeders’ Cup Classic for the first time since 2022, and the victory of the Swan was perfect for the horse that handed Godolphin its first Derby roses. He beat a field that included 2025 Order winner Perpetual Young, the speedy Knightsbridge stablemate, and 2026 Kentucky Derby winner Golden Age.
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Algarado Junior Alvarado killed over these last moments in the horse Kingdom after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic:
“I just thank him, like a million times, thanking him for everything he did for me last year and everything we did together. Like I said, he did so many, great, wonderful things for my life, personally, and in my career.”
Trainer Bill Mott recalled the decision to move the Breeders’ Cup Classic to the end of the card after it had been in the middle of Saturday’s card for the past three years:
“I think the Breeders’ Cup did a really good job, this race made it the last race today instead of the fourth or fifth race on paper. This way – I mean, there’s so much more emotion. We’re looking forward to so many races. You don’t want this race to overshadow or overshadow the other races.
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“I think he had some great racing today, and I think that last race was awesome. For me and our team, what a great day to end.”
NITROGEN Continues ‘Incredible’ Year With Breeders’ Cup Distaff Triumph
Nitrogen triumphs in the DistaffLillian Davis photo
Trainer Mark Casse has confirmed Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Nitrogen will return to racing in 2027, with a start against boys in the Pegasus World (G1) at Park at Gulfstream in January as a potential starting point. Jon Green, owner of DJ Stable, joked with Conditioner about the filly’s tendency to drop into the stretch.
Green: “Marce, it got successfully on the grass, in the mud, in the mud. Could you make the stretch not meander this year? Could it be the end of 2027?”
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Casse: “I will let him wander as much as he wants. Don’t worry.”
AD Elvis stirs up fury as he races to capture the Breeders’ Cup Sprint
TO Elvis earned his second consecutive Grade 1 win in America after capturing the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Saturday. When asked about a potential return to the US next year, the answers were short and sweet from the Japanese link.
“Yes,” said master Tomoya Ozasa.
Trainer Daisuke Takayanagi added: “We want to bring him back again.”
Deterministic wins over the remarkable Oration in the Breeders’ Cup Mile
Mile winner Determinestec won his first Breeders’ Cup victory for the team of Kendrick Carmouche and trainer Miguel Clements, who became the trainer of memory in the summer of 2025 after the death of his father, Hall of Famer Christophe Clements.
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“He means the world to us,” Miguel Clemens said. “He gave us a lot of happiness in a dark part of our lives, and he means a lot to a lot of people. That’s a real reward for us with that first Breeders’ Cup.”
“My father died two years ago, Mr. (Christophe) Clemens died a year later, and those people just set the table for me and Miguel (Clemens),” Carmouche said.
Miles makes a kiss for a ride in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
Following Bacio’s huge victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), trainer Wesley Ward said the colt’s next plans are to travel to Australia in February.
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“We have a big plan to go down to Australia in February, on February 13, for Black Lightning Caviar,” he said. “I’ve never been to Australia, but I’m bringing my whole family, and my children and my daughter and my daughter-in-law and my grandson, so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m going into quarantine this evening.”
In addition, Ado digs deep for a Thrilling Breeders Cup Dist Mile Win
One of the most exciting finishes of the weekend came in the League Cup Dist Mile (G1), when Keeneland-loving colt In addition Ado Owen Almighty was struggling by a sharp nose.
“We thought we had lost the business,” said Eric Gustavson of Spendthrift Farm, owner of Ado Furthest. “They all had our heads, and the camera is in front of the finish, so it looked like he lost the bob and everyone was excited with the other horse, and that must have been tough for them. I feel bad for them. And then the camera went on the track to AGASO on the other horse, so we resigned. And then it turned around.”
Photo finish of Ado further winning the 2016 Breeders Cup Dist Mile over Owen Almightyscreenshot Keeneland website
Explanations and excuses: What I told the guests after Saturday’s Breeders Cup Race
Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup teams had plenty of horses to talk about after a full day of championship races at Keeneland.
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We’ve got round-up post-race quotes from trainers and jockeys winning and losing from each of Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup races, features on how the race is going and what’s ahead.
Classic Fifth-place trainer Yoshito Yahagi (Eternal Young)“I feel sorry for all the fans who support us. It never runs badly. Even when the races are not gone, he always fought and finished bravely. But there was no one today. I really don’t know what to say. I don’t know what happened to be honest. I wish there was a certain reason for the defeat, but I really know.”
Loughnane Loses Weight, Wins Big Aboard Libertango in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
After Libertango was named dead less than an hour before the race, jockey Billy Loughnane made the most of his opportunity, delivering a thrilling performance to win Friday’s Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1).
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“I definitely didn’t realize I was going to be driving it until literally an hour ago,” Loughnane said. “I sat in all his work when he ran so last, and it had been difficult weeks knowing that he came here as a very good coincidence. Congratulations, I was able to make weight.”
Loughnane was not the only notable rider from the race. Jockey Oisin Murphy, who was killed in the Turf Sprint in the Juvenile Turf, had excellent words for Corner Harper’s rider Paco Lopez, who caused an obstacle to push Corner Harper from third to eighth place.
“Pace Lopez moved to the rail when it wasn’t clear,” Murphy said. “She was a really poor rider. She probably wiped out half the field when she crashed, so she definitely got out of them.”
Bill Mott: no choice but control for horse of the year
Control with tires Bill Mott wins the day after the Breeders Cup Classic (G1) at KeenelandLillian Davis/Keeneland
On Sunday morning, trainer Bill Mott, who has ridden two other Horse of the Year positions, said he has no doubt the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Empire will repeat as Horse of the Year.
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“I don’t think there’s any doubt,” said Mot. “There are other years when perhaps you should joke about it. I don’t know who will take that place. I don’t know what name you would put before him.”
This story was first published by Paulick Report on Nov. 2 2026, where for the first time in the church of SS News section Add the Paulck Report as Preferred Source by clicking here.