A group consisting of journalists, wagering experts, and authorities from the Breeders’ Cup World Championships collaborates each week to produce a survey. This survey aggregates their individual assessments of the leading contenders nationwide for the 2025 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic. These assessments serve as a weekly benchmark, spotlighting the top 10 horses under consideration. The compilation method involves each participant listing their top 10 horses, with scores allocated in a descending manner from 10 to 1.
The concluding, tenth iteration of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic standings continues to feature 3-year-old Sovereignty at the summit. This horse distinguished itself by securing victories in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. Additionally, Sovereignty achieved a decisive triumph in the DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 23, finishing a significant distance ahead of its competitors.
The results of the final poll are below.
Breeders’ Cup Classic Rankings for Oct. 7, 2025
1. Sovereignty (35 first-place votes)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
2025 record: 6 starts – 5 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, DraftKings Travers Stakes, Aug. 23 at Saratoga Race Course
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
2. Fierceness (2 first-place votes)
Owners: Repole Stable, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, and Susan Magnier
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
2025 record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Pacific Classic Stakes, Aug. 30 at Del Mar
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
3. Sierra Leone (2 first-place votes)
Owners: Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Brooke Smith
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat
2025 record: 4 starts – 1 win – 2 seconds – 1 third
Last race: 2nd, Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
4. Mindframe
Owners: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
2025 record: 4 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: DNF, Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
5. Forever Young (1 first-place vote)
Owner: Susumo Fujita
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
2025 record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 1 third
Last race: 1st, Nippon TV Hai, Oct. 1 at Funabashi Racecourse in Japan
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
6. Journalism
Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, LaPenta, Robert V., Elayne Stables 5, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
2025 record: 7 starts – 4 wins – 3 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 2nd, Pacific Classic Stakes, Aug. 30 at Del Mar
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
7. Baeza
Owners: C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Hector Isaac Berrios
2025 record: 7 starts – 2 wins – 3 seconds – 2 thirds
Last race: 1st, Pennsylvania Derby, Sept. 20 at Parx Racing
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
8. Antiquarian
Owner: Centennial Farms
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: TBD
2025 record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds
Last race: 1st, Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
9. Locked
Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
2025 record: 5 starts – 2 wins – 1 second – 1 third
Last race: 1st, Woodward Stakes, Sept. 27 at Belmont at the Big A
Next race: TBD, possibly Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic or the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, both Nov. 1 at Del Mar
10. Highland Falls
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
2025 record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third
Last race: 3rd, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Aug. 31 at Saratoga Race Course
Next race: Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nov. 1 at Del Mar
