Read about Horse Racing Trends for 2025 worth watching here.
There are few sports that constantly have an eye on the future more so than horse racing. Even when horses win some of the notable races on track, the attention is already on what could be achieved on their next starts, with eyes always on what the end goal could be.
Therefore, there have already been countless times this year that performances on track have indicated toward a runner that could be set for a major performance in a better grade next year.
But, who are some of the runners that could be the ones to watch with the big races across the world in 2025 in mind?
Bob Baffert is likely to be back in the Kentucky Derby reckoning this year after repairing relations with Churchill Downs during the latter part of 2024. Therefore, the Hall of Famer will likely have a number of leading contenders within his yard pointed toward the opening leg of the Triple Crown in 2025.
Citizen Bull holds excellent claims following his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but the improving Barnes could be the runner to watch in 2025. The two-year-old sired by Into Mischief is out of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah mare All American Dream.
The two-year-old has already made waves in 2024 after winning impressively on debut at Churchill Downs in November, and he will likely improve even more over a distance that suits his running style. A return to Churchill Downs could be likely on the first Saturday in May.
Find more about how to bet on Barnes here: https://www.twinspires.com/betting-guides/beginners-guide-betting-horse-racing/
This year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies was largely regarded to be a high-quality affair. However, Immersive made light work of the field at Del Mar in November, furthering her already lofty reputation for the Brad Cox team in the process.
The two-year-old finished an impressive four lengths clear of Vodka with A Twist in California at the start of November, taking her record to four wins from four under rules. She has also already clocked up three straight wins in stakes company, including the G1 Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland when beating Quickkick by just under two lengths.
Cox always has a talented crop of fillies to aim toward the Kentucky Oaks, but few have caught the imagination quiet like Immersive in recent years. She could be the next dominant filly in the U.S. in 2025.
Aidan O’Brien has fallen short in the 2,000 Guineas in each of the last two seasons, with champions such as Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy appearing to have needed the run over the mile at Newmarket.
The Irish trainer will be looking to avoid making the same mistakes with talented two-year-old The Lion In Winter in 2025. He has been excellent on his two starts under rules to this point, travelling perfectly over seven furlongs in races at the Curragh and York.
I his final start of 2024, he looked an easy winner of the G3 Acomb Stakes, beating more experienced rivals on just his second start under rules. Eventually, he finished just under two lengths clear of the progressive Wimbledon Hawkeye, and there is an expectation that there will be even more to come from this runner, who should peak over a mile, before potentially setting his sights on a run in the Epsom Derby.
Aidan O’Brien could have further success in the British Classics in 2025, with superstar filly Lake Victoria looking set to hold high order.
The two-year-old filly was one of the most eye-catching winners at the Breeders’ Cup this year, as she won comfortably despite facing traffic problems throughout the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf. Ryan Moore was excellent aboard her in California, and she justified huge market support from Europeans as the banker of the weekend for many.
Lake Victoria has now won five from five under rules, and this daughter of Frankel looks set for a huge 2025 over longer trips. She has already come through every main challenge posed, winning over distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile with relative ease.
The first big horse racing event of 2025 will come over the jumps at the Cheltenham Festival. A fascinating first big race of the meet looks set to come in the form of the G1 Champion Hurdle, with defending champion State Man and the returning Constitution Hill likely to take high rank.
However, it could be all about the girls at the Festival in 2025, with Willie Mullins-trained Lossiemouth looking to join an elite club of Triumph Hurdle winners that have followed up in the Champion Hurdle.
The five-year-old has already returned to the track this season, beating Stayers’ Hurdle winner Teahupoo without breaking a sweat in the G1 Hatton’s Grace. Her Cheltenham record is perfect, winning three-from-three at the track.
