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Snap Decision (Hard Spun), champion steeplechase horse of 2024 and the second-leading earner in United States steeplechase history, has been retired by owner Bruton Street-US and trainer Jack Fisher.

Bred in Kentucky by Phipps Stable, the 11-year-old gelding won 17 of 32 starts over hurdles, finished second eight times and was third twice while racing from 2019-2025. Snap Decision earned $1,258,150 over jumps, second only to Hall of Famer McDynamo's $1,310,104 in North American history. The gelding won an Eclipse Award as champion steeplechaser of 2024 and was a finalist for the 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020 awards. He won five Grade 1 stakes, captured 15 stakes overall and led the National Steeplechase Association annual earnings table in 2024 and 2022.

The retirement decision came this week after a 2025 campaign that included four starts, a win in the G2 Temple Gwathmey Handicap in April and a second in the G1 Iroquois Steeplechase in May. In his final start, he finished fourth in the G1 American Grand National at Far Hills, N.J. Oct. 18.

Snap Decision's 17 North American wins match Lonesome Glory and exceed the totals put up by McDynamo, Good Night Shirt and the others on the top 10 earnings chart.

Prior to becoming a steeplechaser, Snap Decision made 18 starts on the flat for Phipps and trainer Shug McGaughey–winning twice and placing in a Grade III turf stakes. A grandson of champion Personal Ensign, Snap Decision is out of Salute, who also produced Grade I winner Mr Speaker and Grade III winner Vigilantes Way.

His 2024 championship ended a string of nine consecutive Eclipse Awards earned by horses bred in Britain, Ireland or France. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association honored him as its Kentucky-bred steeplechase champion five times.

Snap Decision heads to a potential career as a foxhunter with Fenwick not far from Fisher's base in Maryland.

“The hope is he will just become part of the community of horses we have on the farm,” said co-owner Charlie Fenwick, a former trainer and amateur steeplechase jockey. “He will get ridden regularly and will see the hounds before the end of this hunting season. That's the goal, let him see the hounds, let him see what he thinks and how he wants to behave and hopefully that's a new life for him. If that's not something he wants to do, he'll hack around the farm.”

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After receiving approval by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the post times for live Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine have been moved for Friday Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22.

The first race post time on Friday, Nov. 21 has been moved up from 4:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET, and the post time on Saturday, Nov. 22 has been moved up from 1:05 p.m. to 12 p.m. ET.

These adjustments better accommodate extra races to be run following recent weather cancellations. This decision was made in consultation with the HBPA.

Friday's 11-race card will be highlighted by the rescheduled Ashbridges Bay Stakes (Race 5) and Lake Ontario Stakes (Race 6). Saturday's 12-race card features the $150,000 Shady Well Stakes.

 

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Northview Stallion Station has pensioned Great Notion (Elusive Quality) ahead of the 2026 breeding season.

A top stallion in Maryland, Great Notion, who will turn 26-years-old Jan. 1, sired 55 stakes winners led by MGSW Future Is Now, MGSW Havelock and millionaire GSW Coastal Mission.

On the track, the son of Elusive Quality broke his maiden on debut at Churchill Downs for Silverton Hill and trainer Darrin Miller. Silverton Hill, who purchased Great Notion as a yearling at Keeneland September in 2001 for $82,000, raced him across the country, winning the listed Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn and earning placings in both the GII Amsterdam Stakes and the GI King's Bishop Stakes at Saratoga in 2003. He retired to stud with a record of 12-3-4-0 and earnings over $194,000.

“Great Notion has been nothing short of transformational for breeding in Maryland,” said David Wade, General Manager of Northview Stallion Station. “His ability to upgrade mares, his consistency year after year, and the sheer quality of his runners have elevated our entire regional program. Retiring him now is simply doing right by the horse. He's earned every comfort we can give him, and his impact will continue to be felt for generations. There may never be another one like him. He elevated the entire region–breeders, trainers, owners, and the reputation of Maryland racing itself. We're grateful for every foal he gave us.”

Great Notion will remain at Northview Stallion Station for his retirement.

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With more heavy rain in the forecast for southern California, Del Mar has canceled their Friday race card according to a social media post from the track.

Additionally, Del Mar has carded an extra race day to be held Monday, Nov. 24. The shift will allow the main track additional time to dry while also enabling the use of the turf course on Sunday and Monday.

Friday's cancellation marks the second day in as many weeks as the track also was forced to cancel the Nov. 15 card due to weather.

 

SCHEDULE UPDATE: Racing is cancelled Friday, November 21 due to forecasted heavy rain.

A raceday will be added Monday, November 24.

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) November 19, 2025

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Kentucky-based artist Grayson Reynolds has designed both the official Mint Julep Glass and “Art of the Kentucky Derby” for the 152nd running of the GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, Churchill Downs announced Wednesday.

This year's glass features three horses racing at different strides surrounded by roses as a nod to the garland draped over all Derby winners. The names of every official Kentucky Derby champion–from Aristides in 1875 to Sovereignty in 2025–wraps around the back of the glass.

Reynolds' official Derby 152 artwork showcases five Thoroughbreds charging from the starting gate beneath the Twin Spires, with red roses bursting from the track to demonstrate the emotion and anticipation of the Run for the Roses.

“We are thrilled to showcase Grayson as the first Art of the Kentucky Derby artist to also dsign the official julep glass–two iconic traditions united by her artistry,” said Megan App, Director of Licensing at Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Her work captures the emotion and excitement of The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”

Reynolds's “Official Art of the Kentucky Derby” will be featured on the 2026 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks official racing programs and a variety of merchandise.

“I'm incredibly honored to be named the first-ever artist to design both the Kentucky Derby art and julep glass,” Reynolds said. “As a native Kentuckian, traditions of the Derby have been part of my story growing up, and I'm excited to share my work with the world.”

Reynolds will be at Churchill Downs Friday, Nov. 28, to sign prints of her artwork. The artist signing will take place in the Churchill Downs Store, located just inside the Paddock Gate, between 2-4 p.m.

The full artwork for the Kentucky Derby mint julep glasses and Art of the Derby prints are available for purchase here.

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The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) will award the 2025 Big Sport of Turfdom award to social media influencer Griffin Johnson, the organization announced Wednesday. The annual award recognizes a person or group who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists.

Johnson entered horse racing in 2024 through America's Best Racing's “A Stake in Stardom” campaign as a partial owner of Grade I winner Sandman (Tapit) with West Point Thoroughbreds. Johnson is also a part-owner of Grade II winner Ewing (Knicks Go).

As an ambassador of the sport, Johnson has used his social media platforms to promote horse racing and has reached more than 200 million people through videos and content, visiting racetracks and providing backstretch access that has generated more than 35 million views.

“In using his platforms and influence, Griffin Johnson has helped grow horse racing by bringing our sport unprecedented exposure,” said TPA President Najja Thompson. “Our membership selected Johnson for this award in recognition of his role as a tremendous ambassador for horse racing and his consistent openness and availability to the media.”

The Big Sport of Turfdom award will be presented in person to Johnson at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's annual awards luncheon Dec. 9. The luncheon is part of the 2025 Symposium on Racing & Gaming at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz.

“I'm incredibly honored to receive the 2025 Big Sport of Turfdom Award,” said Johnson. “Horse racing has given me a community, a purpose, and a platform to help grow the sport I love. I'm grateful to everyone who's welcomed me into this industry and inspired me to be a small part of its future.”

The Big Sport of Turfdom has been presented annually since 1966. This is the first time Johnson has won the award. Previous winners include jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Eddie Arcaro and Gary Stevens; trainers Art Sherman, D. Wayne Lukas and Jack Van Berg; and other individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport, such as Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, a two-time winner; announcer Tom Durkin, author Laura Hillenbrand, broadcaster Jim McKay, Turf writer Joe Hirsch and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman.

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A trio of world-class races at South Africa's Kenilworth Racecourse will anchor a qualifying day for the 2026 Breeders' Cup World Championships via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.

Held Jan. 10, the G1 Cape Flying Championship, a 1,000-meter (5/8 mile) weight for age race, will serve as an automatic qualifier for the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The race joins the G1 King's Plate, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds and up which provides a free berth to the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile, and the G1 Paddock Stakes, a 1/8-mile race for fillies and mares 3-year-olds & up that is an automatic qualifier for the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winners of the three South African races to start in the respective Breeders' Cup divisions.

“Breeders' Cup Limited is pleased to continue the expansion of our international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series with the addition of the Cape Flying Championship,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “We're grateful for the collaborative efforts that brought this partnership to fruition and look forward to welcoming top South African contenders to the World Championships.”

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Trainer Dale Romans, who announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate earlier this week, has already raised over $750,000 according to his campaign office.

In a press release Tuesday night, Romans, who is running as an Independent Democrat, said he has seen “an incredible surge of support for [a] first-time candidate.”

“I'm so grateful for this wave of enthusiastic support for our campaign, and our movement grows stronger and wider every day,” Romans said. “People want a senator who has lived the struggles that Kentucky's working families face, and who will only do what's right for Kentucky. As an independent Democrat, I won't be beholden to the national party, and I won't be a puppet of the president. This is the leadership we need to actually get things done in Washington, fix the challenges before us, and improve people's lives in every corner of our great state.”

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5. RUNNING WITH CHAOS, DMR, 11-14, 6 1/2f (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure: 81 (2nd)
(g, 3, by Khozan–House Money, by Wildcat Heir)
O-Eduardo Bernal, Larry Buckendorf and Jeffrey Lambert. B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (Fl). T-Bob Hess Jr. J-Edwin Maldonado.
He went to post at 28-1, but there was nothing fluky about his improved runner-up finish to Simple Song (see below). Running With Chaos mixed it up from the start in fast fractions, yet still claimed second by outfinishing odds-on favorite Latitude, who had beaten him by eight lengths in his debut.

4. JOKER ON FIRE, AQU, 11-13, 6fT (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure: 81
(g, 3, by Practical Joke–Fire Assay, by Medaglia d'Oro)
O-Blue Water Stables. B-AJ Suited (NY). T-Bruce Levine. J-Javier Castellano.
Switched to turf, Joker On Fire looked like a completely different horse. He missed the break, rallied from midpack and drew away to a convincing four-length win. Nothing on paper suggested a turf renaissance, but he was an eight-race maiden who had always lost ground in the stretch and was beaten in his last four starts by a combined 67 lengths. Dirt clearly wasn't working, so why not try? And now grass looks like his jam.

3. LUCIUS VERUS, IND, 11-10, 6f
Beyer Speed Figure: 84
(g, 3, by Violence–Grandacious, by Grand Slam)
O-Nirvana Farm and Bow River Ranch. B-Equus Farm (Ky). T-Aaron West. J-Axel Concepcion.
In his debut Oct. 3 at Keeneland, he finished ninth of 11 at 46-1 odds. To be fair, he did get squeezed, shuffled back and steadied after the start, and was quickly last and 10 lengths behind. In Indiana Monday, he closed at 5-2 in an infinitely easier five-horse field (the runner-up is a 23-race maiden), went straight to the lead on a sloppy strip and cruised home by 9 1/2 lengths in 1:09.83.

2. A BOURBON FOR TOBY, AQU, 11-13, 1 1/16mT (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure: 86
(c, 3, by Bernardini–Kitten's Girl, by Kitten's Joy)
O/B-Titletown Racing Stables (Ky). T-Tom Morley. J-John Velazquez.
Way back in June, A Bourbon for Toby made the grade for Five Fastest Maidens, and subsequently finished second and third in maiden turf routes at Saratoga. After a detour against graded stakes company in the Jockey Club Derby, he impressively earned his overdue graduation diploma last Thursday, charging away from his competition through the lane.

1. SIMPLE SONG, DMR, 11-14, 6 1/2f (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure: 86
(g, 3, by Munnings–Serene Melody, by Street Cry {Ire})
O-Muir Hut Stables. B-Lewis Thoroughbred Breeding (Ky). T-Mark Glatt. J-Kazushi Kimura.
This Friday maiden sprint pitted 3-5 favorite Latitude against stablemates Simple Song and Cheever in a battle between three previous Five Fastest Maidens. Latitude and Simple Song went at it from the start along with Running With Chaos (see above) in :21.60 and :43.58 on a lightning-fast surface, and Simple Song kept going, while Latitude backed away. Simple Song's dam, Serene Melody, is out of Hall of Famer Serena's Song.

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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is seeking public comment on proposed modifications to the Rule Series 1000, 3000, and 4000 of its Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program.

After a "pinch me I'm dreaming" spring carnival for the progeny of Per Incanto, Little Avondale Stud's proprietor Sam Williams is excited to showcase their resident stallion's freshest crop of yearlings at the start of the new year.

A full field of twelve sophomore sprinters are signed on to contest the 11th running of the $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint, the main event of a stakes-laden card at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course Nov. 24.

Santa Anita Park will kick off a new season of Thoroughbred racing Dec. 26 with opening day of the traditional Classic Meet.

Maiden Watch: Week of Nov. 10-16

For those unable to attend this year's symposium in person, it will be streamed online to allow an even larger audience to watch the main panel sessions scheduled Dec. 9-10.

Grade 1 winner Troubleshooting will look for this third consecutive win to end the 2025 season in the $300,000 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. He will take on 10 sophomore rivals in the 1 1/16-mile race.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced Nov. 18 that $4.7 million in grants will be awarded to 86 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations that currently hold accreditation status for 2025.

The South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association receives a grant from The Jockey Club, the national breed registry and long-standing advocate for the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing.

HISA and its enforcement arm, HIWU, announced Nov. 17 that HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Committee has recommended the adoption of a minimum reporting level for the Banned Substance metformin.

On the Nov. 17 episode of BloodHorse Monday: trainer Dale Romans discusses his run for senate, World Series champion Jayson Werth talks about his involvement with racing and Icon Racing.