Unstoppable Aidan O'Brien: Haffner Claims Juvenile Turf

With a depleted squad caused by two veterinary scratches, trainer Aidan O'Brien held a less imposing hand than expected in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) Oct. 30 at Keeneland. But it proved a winning hand all the same. The legendary Irish trainer won his ninth Juvenile Turf and 23rd overall Breeders' Cup race, pulling him one ahead of Hall of Famer Bob Baffert as the winningest trainer in Breeders' Cup history, when a stalking Haffner pounced on the leaders and held off Folsom Blues (IRE) by 1 3/4 lengths in the 1-mile grass race for 2-year-olds. The victory gave O'Brien a fifth consecutive victory in the race. Even Ryan Moore, his primary rider, got in on the action, replacing Christophe Soumillon after he became available when his mount, Great Barrier Reef (IRE), was pulled from competition. Man's Best Friend (IRE) was O'Brien's other scratch. His other horse, Florida Bay (IRE), finished next to last. Moore delivered his usual masterful ride from a good draw in post 3, drafting in behind horses, a couple lengths behind a brisk early pace, before angling out in the stretch to launch his bid. The Justify colt, who races for owners Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Brook T. Smith, and Westerberg, did the rest, pulling clear through the lane to finish a mile on firm turf in 1:35.19. He paid $9.46 for a $2 win wager. Folsom Blues, trained by one of O'Brien's sons, Joseph, nosed out Avec Toi for the place. The latter, who set fractions of :23.02, :46.80, and 1:11.05, lasted for the show—giving European-trained horses a 1-2-3 finish. Oscar, trained by Miguel Clement, was the top-performing American finishing fourth. The Juvenile Turf marked the second time one of Joseph's horses finished second to a horse trained by his father in a Breeders' Cup race Friday. Aidan O'Brien's Sun Goddess (IRE) defeated Green Empress (IRE) earlier in the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) with Moore also piloting that winner. Father and son watched the Juvenile Turf together from Keeneland's grandstand apron and hugged shortly after the finish. Their profession requires competition regardless of personal ties. "We hate beating Joseph and his lads, and I mean that," O'Brien said. "But, obviously, it's business and it's sport. We always do our very best, and we don't give them an inch in any way." He also acknowledged the benefits of training high-class stock for the highly successful Coolmore team and its partners, plus the advantage of having Moore in the saddle. Joseph and Dylan McMonagle, who rode Al Shira'aa Racing's favored Folsom Blues, could only wonder how their colt might have fared with a better break. He began last in the field of 12, and was 10th after the opening quarter-mile. "Just lost his first few jumps from the gate, just out of position a little bit, but he ran home brave," Joseph said. Unaccustomed to tight American track configurations, the colt finished with momentum, leaving McMonagle optimistic about his developmental prospects for a campaign next year as a sophomore. Friday's victory improved Haffner's record to 4-2-0 in seven starts this year, and the $520,000 first-place prize swelled his earnings to $825,205. The Juvenile Turf was his first top-level stakes victory after a maiden win and a group 3 and group 2 triumph in England. He has now twice won at a mile, having also won the Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) at the trip ahead of the Breeders' Cup. "I'd say the way he galloped out, 1 1/4 miles—it's not going to be a problem," said Moore, who notched his eighth victory in the Juvenile Turf. "Like Justify, they seem once they open up their stride, they tend to sustain it, and he's very typical of that." "I think he'll be a classic horse next year," O'Brien noted. "He'll have no problem going 10 (furlongs) and would probably go even farther. He's very classy, really." M.V. Magnier and Brant's White Birch Farm purchased him for $375,000 from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment for the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He was bred in Kentucky by D. J. Stables and Justify Syndicate out of the Zoffany mare Earth Strike (IRE). Besides the colt's victory and potential stallion future, the ownership partners affiliated with Coolmore had other reasons to celebrate. Haffner's success marked yet another achievement for his sire, who ranks fifth in North America by progeny earnings. He will stand for $200,000 next year at Coolmore's Ashford Stud. Brook Smith, a minority partner in Haffner, as he has been with these partners in horses such as 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone, said he still marvels at his partners, including their thoroughness and attention to detail. They continually add compelling chapters to their already illustrious history. "Yeah, I'm a part of this but, sometimes, I feel like I'm watching it like a drone," the Kentuckian said. "It's just magic, right?"