The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In came to a close with its final race Oct. 17, and it went out with a bang thanks to Ombudsman (IRE).
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races, the winners of which receive automatic starting positions with fees paid into a corresponding race of the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, to be held at Keeneland Oct. 30-31.
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Facing a stellar field, Godolphin’s 5-year-old son of Night Of Thunder (IRE), who was bred in Ireland by James Hanly, put forth an eye-catching performance in the British Champions Stakes (G1). The triumph earned him a Challenge Series berth to the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), something he already earned earlier this year in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1).
He also holds a Challenge Series invite to the $2 million FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) through his Dubai Turf (G1) victory in March.
Third Gruop 1 for Ombudsman
Those victories are part of a sensational campaign in 2026 that has seen Ombudsman win four of five races with three Group 1 wins. Ombudsman was exiting a surprise defeat in August’s Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York Racecourse, but showed that did little to his star power as he stepped up to the challenge Saturday.
The John and Thady Gosden trainee was favored, but his biggest competition would be Calandagan (IRE), who defeated him in the 2025 British Champions Stakes en route to being named the year’s Longines World’s Best Racehorse. With the script flipped this time, Ombudsman has put his hat in the ring for the 2026 honor.
Breaking well, jockey William Buick eased Ombudsman back while his stablemate, Devil’s Advocate (GB), went up to set the pace. With Bay City Roller (IRE) taking up the chase, Ombudsman raced a comfortable trip in third inside of Constitution River (FR). Then came Almaqam (GB) and Calandagan last of six.
Buick pulled Ombudsman outside the pace setters with 2 furlongs to go, just as Calandagan was making his move on the outside. Yet, despite all of Calandagan’s talent, Ombudsman was simply better on this day as he surged forward once clear. He pulled away from that familiar rival to win by 3 3/4 lengths, Calandagan finishing another 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Bay City Roller.
Ombudsman completed the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) distance in 2:04.22.
Quick Turnaround to Breeders’ Cup Turf
Ombudsman has proven himself as an elite talent in Europe, but the Longines Turf will provide a new challenge. He has never raced beyond 1 5/16 miles, making the 1 1/2 miles of the Longines Turf a question mark. Connections of his rivals will hope that will give them a chance should he travel to Keeneland, but his class may be too much regardless.
