There was a quiet inevitability to it all — the surge from midpack, the glint of determination from Christophe Soumillon, and the calm precision of Aidan O’Brien’s training brilliance. On Friday at Del Mar, Gstaad (GB) delivered a stirring performance to capture the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), sealing yet another milestone moment in the storied Breeders’ Cup legacy of O’Brien and the Coolmore partners — Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor.
Sent off as a $4.40 favourite, the son of Starspangledbanner (AUS) produced a breathtaking rally from behind to win by three-quarters of a length over the gallant longshot Stark Contrast. The $1 million feature, wrapping up Future Stars Friday at the 42nd World Championships, marked O’Brien’s record 21st Breeders’ Cup victory — eight of them now in this very race.
A Ride Worth the Wait
Breaking from the outside post 14, Gstaad was slow to find his stride, but Soumillon, riding with a veteran’s patience, angled him inside to conserve ground. Up front, Outfielder cut swift early fractions of :22.20 and :46.52, with Hey Nay Nay (IRE) applying pressure.
“I was trying to ride like Ryan [Moore] did last year with Henri Matisse,” Soumillon said. “He was cruising the whole way, and when we turned for home, I knew it was game over.”
As the leaders began to tire, Gstaad launched a sweeping move on the far turn, gobbling up ground with purpose. By midstretch, he had drawn clear, holding firm to win in 1:34.93 on firm turf — and in doing so, announced himself as Europe’s next great turf prospect.
Chasing the Champion
Stark Contrast ran the race of his young life to finish second, 2¼ lengths clear of North Coast (IRE), while Street Beast stayed on for fourth.
Trainer Michael McCarthy, whose Stark Contrast was dismissed at long odds, was full of admiration: “It was a big performance. The winner just got the jump on us. He ran fantastic.”
His jockey Kazushi Kimura echoed the sentiment: “He’s versatile, and he gave me everything. The winner was simply too strong.”
Across the paddock, Joseph O’Brien watched his North Coast finish with promise. “Huge run. Very proud of him,” he said. “He’ll go home and point to next season.”
O’Brien’s Historic Mark
The win meant more than just another trophy. With 21 Breeders’ Cup victories, Aidan O’Brien stands alone as the most successful trainer in the event’s history — a testament to his enduring excellence.
Co-owner Michael Tabor praised both his trainer and jockey: “A very good performance and Christophe did a great job from the draw. Aidan’s work ethic is incredible. You have to love what you do to be successful.”
For Soumillon, it ended a 20-year wait since his first Breeders’ Cup triumph. “It’s like winning a British Classic,” he smiled. “You need the right horse — and Gstaad is the right horse.”
The Numbers Behind the Glory
The victory added $520,000 to Gstaad’s earnings, pushing his total to $993,157 with a record of 6 starts, 3 wins, and 3 placings. Out of Mosa Mine (GB) by Exceed And Excel (AUS), the colt’s pedigree now gleams with the weight of accomplishment and promise.
With this victory, Gstaad joins the roll of honour among O’Brien’s elite Juvenile Turf winners — a colt who has combined class, stamina, and a touch of magic on the big stage.
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