Knicks Go Runs Them Into the Ground in Breeders' Cup Classic

Mark Smith - Sunday November 7

The $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar is a story easily told - Knicks Go jumped straight to the lead and refused to surrender it.

Knicks Go shines through the rapidly fading light in the Breeders' Cup Classic (image Alex Evers/Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse Sportswire)

Last years Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile hero was unfazed by the extra distance of the Classic and looked as if he could do another lap with nothing getting close.

Advertisement

Ridden by Joel Rosario, the Brad Cox-trained 5yo son of Paynter put a two and three-quarter margin on the brave Medina Spirit with the winner’s stablemate Essential Quality a further three-quarter of a length back in third.

Campaigned by the Korea Racing Authority, Knicks Go almost certainly tied up Horse Of The Year honours while advancing his record to ten wins, three seconds and a third from 24 starts with earnings of over $8.6 million.

“Obviously, the race went really well. He broke and was able to establish position early,” Cox said.

 “He's built for American racing on the dirt. That's what he's done and I'm hopeful that he'll pass that on to his offspring. He's got everything it takes to be a stallion.

“He's travelled around the world and he's a very tough, durable horse.

“He's extremely sound. I think we're in a day and age where horses go to stud so early and he's a little bit of a throwback horse in that he's raced at 4 and 5 and raced as much as he has. So very proud of what he has accomplished this year.

It was the third trip to the Breeders’ Cup for Knicks Go who finished runner-up in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile when trained by Ben Colebrook.

Bred by Angie Moore, Knicks Go was purchased by the Korea Racing Authority for $87,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale after making $40,000 as a Keeneland weanling the previous November.

The son of the Awesome Again stallion Paynter and the stakes winning Outflanker mare Kosmo’s Buddy had long outperformed his trip to Korea and will stand at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky and the conclusion of his career on the track.   

Advertisment
More Reading...
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.