Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Runners Headed By Minnie Hauk and Precise

Having won his 20th Breeders’ Cup race when Henri Matisse landed the Juvenile Turf last season, we look at the Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup runners 2025 – as the Ballydoyle handler hopes to his extend this winning haul at America’s biggest horse racing meeting.

Possible Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup Runners 2025: Minnie Hauk Expected To ‘Fly’ Over 

The 42nd Breeders’ Cup will be staged at Del Mar racecourse in California – with the 2025 two-day meeting this year running over two months.

Friday 31st October will be the opening day of the fixture, with the card climaxing on Saturday 1st November – there will be 14 Breeders’ Cup races in total.

12 months ago, Aidan O’Brien equalled the record Breeders’ Cup tally of D. Wayne Lukas (20), who sadly died earlier this year.

And in the process, moved one ahead of top US barn Bob Baffert (19) and four clear of Chad Brown (16).

The last year O’Brien DIDN’T have a winner at the meeting was in 2021 – so will be well-fancied to get on the scoresheet in 2025.

With a bit of help from the Aidan O’Brien Fan Site – here are the potential Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup runners to look out for.

The Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup runners 2025 consist of EIGHT horses.

Ballydoyle Breeders’ Cup Runners 2025 

Note: These are not confirmed Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup runners, but possible entries at this stage after the pre-entries on Wednesday (22nd Oct)

You can also see the 2025 Breeders’ Cup race times and schedule – with UK and Ireland times included.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Fri, 9:45pm – 5f) 

TRUE LOVE

True Love would be looking to give Aidan O’Brien a first win in the Juvenile Turf Sprint – and is one of three possible Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup runners in this race.

She was a nice winner of the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June – the first win in that race for O’Brien too.

Since that Royal Ascot win, she’s added the Railway Stakes and Group One Cheveley Park Stakes to her CV.

But sandwiched in between those runs was a defeat at long odds on in the Phoenix Stakes in August.

True Love is the current favourite here – ahead of Havana Anna and another possible Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup runner  – Mission Central.

BRUSSELS

Brussels won on debut at the Curragh back in May but has failed to build on that with five defeats since.

He’s not looked the most straight forward of colts but still brings high-class juvenile form to the table.

Having run second in the Group One Middle Park (watch below) and a nose second in the Group Three Cornwallis Stakes – both at Newmarket.

Will head to Del Mar with just one win from his six career starts and was last seen getting chinned on the line (nose) in the Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket.

MISSION CENTRAL

Impressed when winning the Group Three Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes at the end of August over 6f.

Failed to win next time when a beaten favourite in the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster (5f).

But bounced back to winning ways on Champions Day at Ascot in the new 2 year-old Conditions race.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies (Fri, 11:05pm – 1m) 

PRECISE

One of Ballydoyle’s top 2 year-olds this season and will head to Del Mar having won four of her five starts.

These have included two wins at the top table – winning the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September and the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October (watch below).

The last was her first try over 1m – powering home to win easily by 3 1/4 lengths, so it’s no shock to see her as one of the big favourites with the bookies for the Juvenile Turf Fillies.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Colts (Fri, 12:25pm – 1m 3f) 

GSTAAD

Impressed in winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June – but hasn’t won since.

That said, has certainly not been disgraced in his three defeats in the Prix Morny (2nd), National Stakes (2nd) and Dewhurst (2nd) (watch below).

This is a race Aidan O’Brien loves to target too – with seven wins and his most recent Henri Matisse last year.

Is the shortest in the betting of the O’Brien runners here and could even go off as the overall favourite.

Aidan O’Brien’s only win in the Juvenile Turf came in 2001 with Johannesburg, so will be looking to double his tally here.

Breeders’ Cup Turf (Sat, 9:41pm – 1m 4f) 

MINNIE HAUK

Last seen running a close second as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite – just losing out to Daryz by a head (watch below).

The form of that win has since been franked with the 7th Kalpana winning the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot.

This Aidan O’Brien Breeders’ Cup runner will be looking to give her trainer a remarkable eighth success in the Turf.

Minnie Hauk is named after an American operatic soprano who lived between 1851 and 1929, so will be hoping to hit the high notes again in the US.

Oh, and did you know?

There was also a US-trained horse in the 1970’s called Minnie Hauk.

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Sat, 12:25pm – 1m 3f) 

BEDTIME STORY

Super impressive winner of the 2024 Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot – but has only won once since then.

Is currently on a run of nine races without a win but certainly wasn’t disgraced when 4th to Kalpana in the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes last time.

She’ll be looking to give O’Brien only his second win in this race, with Tuesday in 2022 his sole success.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile (Sat, 9:41pm – 1m) 

THE LION IN WINTER 

Connections had high hopes for this Sea The Stars colt this season – after winning the Acomb Stakes well last season.

Had spent most of the winter as the Epsom Derby favourite. However, flopped in the Dante Stakes before that and was a well beaten 14th in the Epsom Derby after that.

Has bounced back to form, without winning, in recent races. When placed in the Group One Prix Du Moulin and QEII Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot (watch below).

When Is The 2025 Breeders’ Cup?

📅Date: Fri 31st Oct-Sat 1st Nov 2025
🏇Racecourse: Del Mar
📺 TV: ITV4 / Racing TV / Sky Sports Racing

Aidan O’Brien Has Trained 20 Breeders’ Cup Winners

No trainer has had MORE Breeders’ Cup winners than Aidan O’Brien, which must hurt the home-based handlers a bit.

Ireland’s legendary handler has fired in 20 Breeders’ Cup winners over the years. The same as D. Wayne Lukas, who is sadly no longer with us.

His first success at America’s flagship meeting came back in 2001 when Johannesburg landed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

With his most recent coming in 2024 when Henri Matisse powered home in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (watch below).

From his 20 wins, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Breeders’ Cup Turf have been his best races. With seven wins in each.

All Aidan O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup Winners Listed