Is Contrail’s Son Badrinath the Best 2-Year-Old Colt? A Deep Dive into His Hagi Stakes Victory

October 28, 2025

Badrinath, a son of Contrail, scored a decisive victory in the Hagi Stakes (L), becoming the first two-time winner of his 2-year-old generation. With an excellent time on yielding ground, his performance has rapidly elevated his status as a top classic contender. This article provides a multi-faceted analysis of Badrinath’s strengths, future challenges, and comparisons with rivals, incorporating opinions from horse racing fans.

Key Takeaways

• Badrinath, son of Contrail, won the Hagi Stakes, emerging as a leading figure in the 2-year-old colt division.
• He clocked an impressive time of 1:47.1 on yielding ground, showcasing his high potential.
• While praised for his maneuverability and competitive spirit, a tendency to lose focus has also been noted.
• His next start is likely to be the Hopeful Stakes (G1), and he is currently considered a top contender for his generation.

Badrinath’s Dominant Hagi Stakes Win Propels Him to the Forefront

On October 26, 2025, at Kyoto Racecourse, Badrinath (colt, 2, trained by Mikio Matsunaga), a son of Contrail, won the listed Hagi Stakes. With this victory, he became the first of Contrail’s progeny in his generation to secure two wins, taking a significant step forward on the classic trail.

An Impressive Performance and Time on Yielding Ground

The race was run on yielding turf, but Badrinath recorded an excellent time of 1:47.1. This ranks among the fastest times in the race over the past decade and is considered highly valuable given the track conditions. He raced with the leading group, powerfully broke away in the home stretch, and won comfortably by a length over the second-place finisher, Chicco Bello, in a classic display of front-running strength.

Fans commented, “That time on a yielding track is genuinely amazing,” and “The time holds up well compared to other races on the same day,” indicating his performance left a strong impression on many racing enthusiasts.

Strengths and Weaknesses Revealed in the Race

Badrinath’s strengths include a good start and high tractability, allowing him to settle well during the race. His ability to race near the front and pull away makes him a consistent contender, less affected by the race’s pace. He also showed a strong fighting spirit, digging in again when challenged by the runner-up.

However, some challenges have also been noted. He showed a slight lack of finishing kick in his debut, finishing second, and he has yet to be tested in a large field or a fiercely contested race. There is also a view that he has a habit of “idling” or losing focus once he hits the front in the stretch, and further maturity is anticipated.

Like Father, Like Son: Similarities to Contrail and Pedigree Insights

Is the Habit of ‘Idling’ Inherited?

This issue with concentration during a race was also a characteristic of his sire, the undefeated Triple Crown winner Contrail. Contrail sometimes showed signs of losing focus, requiring his jockey to keep him engaged until the finish line. Patrol videos show Badrinath pricking his ears shortly after taking the lead, suggesting he wasn’t fully focused on the race. This has led to speculation that he has “strongly inherited his father’s quirks.” On the other hand, this could mean he has yet to show his full potential, hinting at untapped ability.

The Cross with Damsire Galileo

Badrinath’s damsire is the legendary European stallion Galileo. The cross between Contrail and Galileo-line mares has been noted for its potential compatibility, seen as a combination that enhances stamina and power. This pedigree background raises expectations for his ability to handle the steep incline at Nakayama Racecourse and the classic distances.

Future Prospects and Rival Assessments

Hopeful Stakes is the Most Likely Next Target

By winning the Hagi Stakes, Badrinath has established himself as a leading candidate for the year-end 2-year-old G1, the Hopeful Stakes. Many past winners have used the Hagi Stakes as a stepping stone to victory in the Hopeful Stakes, making it a well-trodden path. While results from the upcoming Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes and Kyoto Nisai Stakes will be telling, Badrinath is currently seen as a likely favorite for the G1.

Standing Among Other Promising Colts

In the current 2-year-old colt division, rivals include Anduril (by Epiphaneia), fellow Contrail son Teruhikou who showed an exceptional turn of foot, and Goingsky, who was impressive in his debut. However, the consensus is that Badrinath, having already won impressively in a key prep race, is a step ahead. Future head-to-head matchups will clarify the hierarchy of this generation.

The Hagi Stakes: Past Winners and Its Prestige

The Hagi Stakes is a crucial prep race that has produced numerous subsequent G1 winners. Let’s look at the winners from the past 10 years and their later achievements.

As shown, horses like Saturnalia and Time Flyer used this race as a springboard to win the Hopeful Stakes, demonstrating its importance in forecasting the classic season.

Frequently Asked Questions about Badrinath

What are Badrinath’s weaknesses?

His lack of experience in races with large fields and his tendency to lose focus (or ‘idle’) during a race have been pointed out. Additionally, some view his ability to handle the steep incline at Nakayama Racecourse as a potential challenge for his future classic campaigns.Is the Hagi Stakes considered a ‘stepping-stone’ race?

Yes. It has produced future G1 winners like Saturnalia, Time Flyer, and Danon Scorpion, and is considered a key prep race, particularly for the Hopeful Stakes.Are there other promising 2-year-old colts?

Names like Anduril (by Epiphaneia), and fellow Contrail sons Goingsky and Teruhikou have been mentioned. However, the consensus is that Badrinath currently has an edge, having already delivered a strong performance in a stakes-level race.