The fall of 2025 marked a historic weekend for international G1 racing. In Australia, jockey J. Melham achieved the first-ever female “Cups Double” at the Melbourne Cup. In the United States, trainer W. Mullins orchestrated a major upset in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, while A. O’Brien became the all-time winningest trainer in BC history. This is a detailed analysis of the record-breaking performances and unpredictable drama from racing’s top jockeys and trainers.
- Key Takeaways
- Part 1: Australia’s “Race That Stops a Nation” – 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival G1 Analysis
- Part 2: The World Championships – 2025 Breeders’ Cup G1 Analysis
- Part 3: The Future Stars – 2025 Breeders’ Cup 2-Year-Old G1 Analysis
- Conclusion: Insights from the 2025 Autumn International Racing Scene
Key Takeaways
- Jockey Jamie Melham achieves the first-ever female “Cups Double” at the Melbourne Cup.
- Jockey Mark Zahra delivers a masterful performance on Victoria Derby Day, securing four wins, including two G1 victories.
- Trainer Willie Mullins causes a historic upset, winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf with his very first entry in the event.
- Trainer Aidan O’Brien sets a new record for the most all-time victories at the Breeders’ Cup with his 21st win.
- Trainer Bob Baffert reaches a milestone 20th Breeders’ Cup win, tying for second place all-time.
Part 1: Australia’s “Race That Stops a Nation” – 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival G1 Analysis
Melbourne Cup (G1): Jamie Melham Opens a New Chapter in History
Race Summary:
- Race Name: Melbourne Cup (G1)
- Winner: Half Yours (#14)
- Jockey: Jamie Melham
- Trainer: Tony & Calvin McEvoy
- Odds: 9.0 (4th favorite)
- 2nd Place: Goodie Two Shoes (#20, 41.0)
- 3rd Place: Middle Earth (#7, 26.0)
- Favorite: Presage Nocturne (#6, 5.5, finished 19th)
Detailed Analysis:
The 2025 Melbourne Cup will be remembered for the historic victory by jockey Jamie Melham. She became only the second female jockey to win “the race that stops a nation,” following Michelle Payne in 2015. More significantly, by also winning the Caulfield Cup, she etched her name into Australian racing history as the first female jockey to achieve the “Cups Double.” “This is what we get out of bed for every morning,” an emotional Melham said post-race.
As Land Legend set a blistering pace, Melham settled Half Yours mid-pack on the rail. Spotting a narrow opening at the final turn, she unleashed a powerful sprint, leaving rivals behind in the final 100 meters. The winner, Half Yours, had a meteoric rise, having lost in lower-grade races just months earlier.
Meanwhile, the favorite Presage Nocturne finished a disappointing 19th. With the top-fancied horses failing, longshots at 41.0 and 26.0 filled the minor placings, resulting in what international media called an “outrageous” high-paying dividend.
| Type | Combination | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Trifecta | 14-20-7 | $10,041 |
| First Four | 14-20-7-21 | $176,561 |
Victoria Derby (G1) & Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1): The Dominance of Mark Zahra and Godolphin
Victoria Derby Day 2025 was a showcase for master jockey Mark Zahra, who delivered a phenomenal performance with four wins, including two G1 victories, both in the Godolphin silks.
Victoria Derby (G1):
- Winner: Observer (#1)
- Jockey: Mark Zahra
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher
- Odds: 2.45 (Favorite)
The favorite, Observer, secured a bold front-running victory under Zahra. Perfectly controlling the pace, he fought off challengers in the straight to win. This was Zahra’s fourth win of the day, making him only the third jockey in history to win four races on Derby Day.
Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1):
- Winner: Tentyris (#3)
- Jockey: Mark Zahra
- Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman
- Odds: 2.9 (Favorite)
In contrast to Observer’s wire-to-wire win, Tentyris won with a blistering turn of foot. After settling at the back, he unleashed an explosive burst in the straight, winning decisively by 2.25 lengths. These two G1 wins marked a spectacular double for Godolphin.
Empire Rose Stakes (G1): A Masterclass from the Great Mare, Pride of Jenni
- Winner: Pride of Jenni (#1)
- Jockey: Declan Bates
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher
- Odds: 4.8 (3rd favorite)
The 8-year-old champion mare Pride of Jenni defended her title from 2023. Employing her signature audacious front-running tactics, she opened up a massive lead of over 10 lengths, running a race of her own. Never challenged, she won by 4.5 lengths. The favorite, Idle Flyer, was caught up in the hot pace and faded to 11th. Pride of Jenni proved once again that her presence alone creates a unique condition that can dismantle the race pattern.
Part 2: The World Championships – 2025 Breeders’ Cup G1 Analysis
BC Turf (G1): The “Mullins Shock” Rocks Del Mar
Race Summary:
- Race Name: Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)
- Winner: Ethical Diamond (#14)
- Jockey: D. McMonagle
- Trainer: William P. Mullins
- Odds: 58.4 (13th favorite)
- Favorite: Minnie Hauk (#8, 2.5, finished 6th)
Detailed Analysis:
The 2025 BC Turf produced a historic upset. Irish jump racing maestro Willie Mullins conquered the pinnacle of turf racing with his very first Breeders’ Cup starter. The race was billed as a showdown between Europe’s top 3-year-old filly Minnie Hauk (the favorite) and Rebel’s Romance, who was aiming for a third straight win. However, 58.4 longshot Ethical Diamond stormed down the outside with a devastating late run to sweep past them all. The victory sent shockwaves through the Eclipse Awards voting for year-end championships.
BC Filly & Mare Turf (G1): Coronation of French Raider, Gezora
- Winner: Gezora (#5)
- Jockey: M. Barzalona
- Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
- Odds: 10.1 (5th favorite)
- Favorite: Cinderella’s Dream (#9, 4.1, finished 8th)
Fresh off a victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, French trainer F.H. Graffard captured his first Breeders’ Cup win with Gezora. This was his 13th G1 victory of the season, a historic achievement tying the all-time record for a French trainer. In a thrilling finish, Gezora ran down the second favorite in the final strides. The favorite, Cinderella’s Dream, finished 8th.
BC Dirt Mile (G1) & Filly & Mare Sprint (G1): Baffert’s Dominance and Records
Trainer Bob Baffert demonstrated his formidable presence by winning two G1 races.
BC Dirt Mile (G1):
- Winner: Nysos (#3)
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Odds: 1.7 (Favorite)
The race became a fierce duel between two Baffert trainees, with the favorite Nysos ultimately prevailing over his stablemate by a head to complete the 1-2 finish. It was a rewarding victory for the Nysos team, whose patience paid off after the horse returned from a long injury layoff.
BC Filly & Mare Sprint (G1):
- Winner: Splendora (#2)
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Odds: 3.9 (2nd favorite)
Splendora’s victory was a milestone 20th Breeders’ Cup win for trainer Bob Baffert, tying him for second on the all-time list. Splendora remained undefeated in four starts at Del Mar, showcasing her affinity for the track with an easy 4.75-length win, leaving her favored stablemate Hope Road behind in 3rd.
| Trainer | Key 2025 BC Accomplishment | Total BC Wins | Historical Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aidan O’Brien | Won BC Juvenile Turf (Gstaad) | 21 | Sole possession of 1st all-time |
| Bob Baffert | Won BC F&M Sprint (Splendora) | 20 | Tied for 2nd all-time |
| Willie Mullins | Won BC Turf (Ethical Diamond) | 1 | Won with first-ever starter |
| Francis-H. Graffard | Won BC F&M Turf (Gezora) | 1 | First career BC win |
| George Weaver | Won BC Juv. Turf Sprint (Cy Fair) | 1 | First career BC win |
Part 3: The Future Stars – 2025 Breeders’ Cup 2-Year-Old G1 Analysis
The Breeders’ Cup “Future Stars Friday” proved to be a crucial day for forecasting next year’s classic contenders.
Dirt Elites: BC Juvenile (G1) and Juvenile Fillies (G1)
BC Juvenile (G1) – 2-Year-Old Colts:
The overwhelming 1.8 favorite, Ted Noffey, lived up to expectations, extending his undefeated streak to four. Despite a moment of greenness in the stretch, he secured the victory, solidifying his status as the 2-year-old champion and emerging as the early favorite for next year’s Kentucky Derby.
BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) – 2-Year-Old Fillies:
In stark contrast to the colts’ race, this event produced an upset. Super Corredora, at odds of 9.8, shot out of the gate and led all the way for a “gate-to-wire” victory. The bold move to enter the race off a maiden win paid off handsomely.
Turf Prodigies: BC Juvenile Turf (G1) and Sprint (G1)
BC Juvenile Turf (G1) – 2-Year-Olds, Mile on Turf:
The victory by favorite Gstaad was a historic 21st Breeders’ Cup win for trainer Aidan O’Brien, making him the sole winningest trainer in the event’s history. Gstaad overcame the statistically challenging outside post position 14 to capture his long-awaited first G1 victory.
BC Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) – 2-Year-Olds, 5 Furlongs on Turf:
The filly Cy Fair scored a major upset against a strong field of colts. She became only the second filly to ever win this race, giving trainer George Weaver an emotional first Breeders’ Cup victory. The favorite, True Love, finished 8th.
Conclusion: Insights from the 2025 Autumn International Racing Scene
The major G1 races in Australia and the United States in the fall of 2025 vividly highlighted the two core facets of horse racing: human drama and strategic record-setting.
In Australia, the narrative centered on the individual stories of the jockeys, symbolized by Jamie Melham’s historic achievement and Mark Zahra’s dominance. In contrast, the American Breeders’ Cup focused on the strategies and historical legacies of trainers, with Aidan O’Brien and Bob Baffert rewriting the record books.
Both events proved how unpredictable G1 racing can be, as evidenced by the major upsets in the BC Turf and Melbourne Cup. There was also a notable trend of victories by “specialists” who excel on specific courses or with particular tactics.
Overall, the 2025 fall G1 season served as a thrilling example of how data and predictions can be overcome by individual brilliance, long-term training strategies, and the unpredictable chaos that makes horse racing so compelling.
コメント