Mike Smith, the all-time leader in Breeders' Cup wins with 27 victories, is set to ride in the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.
What's at Stake?
Smith has a strong chance of adding to his record with scheduled rides on a quartet of talented competitors.
He will ride Tamara, owned by Spendthrift Farm, in the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1).
Tamara is trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, who praised Smith as a "superb gentleman and great rider".
Key Rides
Smith will also ride Bottle of Rouge, sired by 2019 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso, in the Juvenile Fillies.
Bottle of Rouge recently won the 75th edition of the Del Mar Debutante, giving Smith his fourth win in the event.
Breeders' Cup Experience
Smith has given patient and professional Breeders' Cup rides to some of the all-time greats in horse racing, including Lure, Skip Away, and Zenyatta.
He started his Breeders' Cup career in 1990 and has been a consistent performer in the championships.
Smith's experience and skill will be crucial in the upcoming races.
Upcoming Races
Kopion, a 4-year-old filly trained by Mandella, will race against the boys for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).
Smith took Kopion out to the track on October 26 to "liven her up a little bit" for the shorter race.
Mandella explained that he is entering Kopion in the Sprint rather than against her stablemate Tamara in the Filly & Mare Sprint.
Smith's rides are scheduled to take place at the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.
He has been Tamara's jockey in five previous starts, including her win in the 2023 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) and a recent win in the grade 3 Chillingworth Stakes.
Tamara finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) in 2023 and was given some time off.
Smith said after winning the Chillingworth Stakes, "She has certainly filled out a whole lot.