Breeders Cup Classic: Dirt racing crown can go to new king at 12/1

We'll keep this brief for three good reasons: a) no one is interested in the Breeder Cup at this time of year; b) we've put this horse up twice before (first time a non-runner at 12/1, second time won at 25/1); and c) The AntePoster has a bout of sciatica.

Magnitude should be nowhere near 12/1 to win the biggest dirt race in the US calendar later this year. This is a horse with a fair chance of seizing the global dirt racing crown, as he's just beaten the world's top-rated dirt horse, fair and square.

Just few days ago, his Dubai World Cup win was rated the second-best dirt race this year by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (as well as superior to the Dubai turf performances of both Calandagan and Ombudsman on the same night). Only the Saudi Cup in mid-February was rated higher...but the winner of that race (Forever Young) was a length behind Magnitude in Dubai.

Steve Asmussen is delighted with the condition his stable star has returned in from his Middle Eastern jaunt. Connections have now made the Breeders Cup Classic the definitive end-of-season target of this son of Not This Time, and we think he'll be a massive player in that.

There's obviously any amount of water to run under the bridge before then. Magnitude will no doubt have to face the likes of Sovereignty and Journalism (both set to clash on seasonal reappearance this weekend), as well as potentially Forever Young again (decision on future yet to be made). And of course the budding 3-year-old crop may have something to say about end-of-year honours (although that age group has accounted for just two of the last nine BC Classics).

But there's a big chance that Magnitude will prove himself the top dog in the US too now, and as a newly turned 4-year-old he still has upside. To our eyes, odds of 12/1 for him to prove best at Keeneland in late October are badly out of kilter with the fair odds of that occurring.

We are publishing this article now in advance of Sovereignty's seasonal reappearance this weekend, as if Bill Mott's Kentucky Derby hero fluffs his lines in any way, Magnitude's price will inevitably be cut. #86C6E5

Although this is a very illiquid antepost market, the 12/1 is available with four major bookmakers (of which only two are connected) so the price should hold for a while.

Recommendation for Breeders Cup Classic, 31 October 2026:

Back Magnitude win only at 12/1 with Bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power, or Skybet. Take no lower: you're locking your cash up for six months so you want the full juice of the return.