On a sunlit afternoon by the Pacific, the final echoes of cheers faded as Del Mar wrapped up its 86th summer season with a mix of nostalgia, triumph, and anticipation for what lies ahead. For racing fans, horsemen, and locals alike, the seaside oval once again delivered on its timeless promise — “where the turf meets the surf.”
Trainer Phil D’Amato stood by the rail late on Saturday, gently kissing Gold Phoenix’s nose after the gelding’s fourth consecutive G2 Del Mar Handicap victory — a moment emblematic of a summer packed with emotional highs and history-making performances. Across the barns, grooms and hotwalkers traded stories, jockeys laughed over near misses, and a few teary-eyed owners soaked in their wins, knowing that Del Mar’s unique summer magic is over… at least for now.
Pacific Classic Headlines a Blockbuster Season
This summer, Del Mar was defined by thrilling finishes, deep fields, and powerhouse performances. Racing secretary David Jerkens summed it up best:
“From a 30,000-foot view, I thought it was a strong meet. We had consistently full fields, compelling stakes races, and a balance across allowance and claiming levels.”
The G1 Pacific Classic stood out as the meet’s crown jewel, where Fierceness shipped in from 3,000 miles away and produced a performance for the ages. Jerkens was quick to credit the influx of shippers, aided by the lucrative ‘Ship & Win’ program, which brought in top-class talent like Heredia, winner of the G2 Yellow Ribbon.
And then there was Juan Hernandez, who delivered one of the season’s most unforgettable moments by riding six winners in a single day on August 9 — a feat that had the grandstand roaring well past the last race.
Storylines That Defined Del Mar 2025
The summer wasn’t just about favorites and form players; it also celebrated underdogs and enduring excellence:
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Gold Phoenix’s fourth straight Del Mar Handicap victory made him a living legend.
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Stablemate Motorious added to the narrative by claiming a third consecutive G3 Green Flash title.
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Lovesick Blues, trained and owned by Librado Barocio, stunned fans with an upset win in the G1 Bing Crosby.
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Seismic Beauty (G1 Clement L. Hirsch), Sweet Azteca (G3 Rancho Bernardo), and Citizen Bull (Shared Belief Stakes) left fans buzzing ahead of the Breeders’ Cup.
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Local hero Om N Joy, a California-bred, punched above his weight by taking the G3 Torrey Pines, a victory that drew cheers from an entire grandstand.
Del Mar also managed to host 1,600 runners this season, attracting horses from all over the country while maintaining record-breaking purse structures — another indicator of the track’s growing stature on the national racing stage.
The Bing Crosby Season and Breeders’ Cup Await
The summer might be over, but there’s no time to exhale. In just six weeks, Del Mar returns for its Bing Crosby Fall Meet, culminating in the 42nd Breeders’ Cup World Championships on October 31 and November 1.
Jerkens and his team have kept the fall stakes program largely intact, but there’s one notable adjustment: the G3 Bayakoa Stakes shifts from the Breeders’ Cup undercard to closing day on November 30.
The festival will be packed with elite contests, including:
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G1 Hollywood Derby (Nov 29)
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G2 Seabiscuit Handicap (Nov 29)
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G3 Jimmy Durante Stakes (Nov 29)
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G1 Matriarch Stakes (Nov 30)
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G2 Hollywood Turf Cup (Nov 28)
With more than $3.15 million in stakes purses, the fall meet promises to sustain Del Mar’s momentum and set the stage for unforgettable Breeders’ Cup moments.
Final Gallop Before the Curtains Fell
By Sunday morning, Del Mar’s backstretch was already transforming. Office supplies were packed into boxes, bath mats rolled up, and vans stood ready for the exodus back to Santa Anita and Los Alamitos. The atmosphere shifted from jubilant to bittersweet, as barns fell silent and grooms led their final horses out for shipping.
Still, this isn’t goodbye — only a brief pause. In six weeks, the seaside oval will once again come alive, buzzing with global talent, full grandstands, and the promise of champions.
For now, the 86th summer season leaves behind a memory bank of brilliance: full fields, breathtaking battles, and a Pacific Classic that will be talked about for years to come.
Del Mar’s 86th summer season delivered record-breaking fields, thrilling finishes, and unforgettable performances, highlighted by Fierceness’s Pacific Classic triumph and Gold Phoenix’s fourth Del Mar Handicap victory. With the Breeders’ Cup approaching, Del Mar is set to make history all over again.
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