Blood-Horse

The Kikuka Sho (G1) completes Japan's Triple Crown series and, at 3,000 meters (about 1 7/8 miles), poses a unique challenge for the nation's 3-year-olds by including a backstretch climb over 200 meters.

The reigning Horse of the Year will appear in the Keeneland saddling paddock around 4 p.m. ET.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has accredited 49 organizations, including 40 organizations that are continuing their accreditation and 9 that earned accreditation for the first time this year.

Workouts from anticipated Breeders' Cup starters pick up across much of the country, one week before the start of the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships.u

The 9-year-old son of Paynter has sired 16 winners to date, including graded stakes winner Ewing.

Multiple grade 1 winner Locked will miss his intended engagement in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) because of an untimely illness and has been retired from racing. He will stand at Gainesway Farm for the 2026 breeding season. 

The Challenge, presented by Gainesway

The Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale concluded Oct. 23, breaking records across all metrics. A total of 1,097 yearlings changed hands for a gross of $71,843,500, including private sales, smashing the previous record of $58,940,500 set in 2024.

First-season stallion Cogburn will return to Kentucky early after experiencing fertility issues at Widden Stud in Australia. The stallion will be examined and treated, if necessary, as he prepares for his second season at stud at WinStar Farm.

The prominent Central California farm has nearly completed the redistribution of its nine stallions following the death of farm owner John Harris in the summer. The only stallion on the farm is 21-year-old Desert Code, who may be pensioned.

Ante-post Epsom Derby (G1) favorite Benvenuto Cellini heads Aidan O'Brien's team for Britain's final group 1 race of the year, the Futurity Trophy (G1) Oct. 25 at Doncaster.

The Breeders' Cup arrived on the scene too late for the great American geldings Kelso and Forego. But at the upcoming 42nd edition of the World Championships, a brilliant European gelding will attempt to join some highly exclusive company.

Shisospicy will attempt to become the first 3-year-old filly to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 1.

Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Henri Matisse has retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore for 2026.

Keeneland has supplemented fall meet winners Divine Justice and Elston Gunnn along with four other horses to the November Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held Nov. 12, the day after the conclusion of the November Breeding Stock Sale.

Innovative, Lee's Baby Girl, and Warming—the top three finishers from last month's John C. Harris Stakes (G3T)—tussle over the Santa Anita Park turf once more in the $100,000 Autumn Miss Stakes (G3T) Oct. 26.

Trainer Graham Motion, who trained 2022 Twilight Derby second Speaking Scout, sends grade 1 winner Test Score to Santa Anita for the turf stakes for 3-year-olds.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site at Del Mar for Breeders' Cup Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

As the countdown to the 42nd Breeders' Cup World Championships on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from Del Mar begins, FanDuel TV will have comprehensive coverage of the event with over 50 hours of unique programming.

Darby Dan Farm has set 2026 stud fees for its roster of 11 stallions that will stand the upcoming breeding season, led by Blazing Sevens, Flameaway, and Dialed In, who will each stand for $10,000, stands and nurses.