Steve Ryder previews the 2025 Breeders' Cup Mile, giving us the latest odds, stats, trends, and insight into the runners.
The Breeders Cup Mile is a Grade 1 race over 1m on turf and is the race after the Classic this season.
Breeders’ Cup Mile Winners, Trends & Stats
Goldikova won this race three years in a row between 2008 and 2010 giving trainer Freddy Head three wins as a trainer and two as a jockey in this race having ridden Miesque to victory in 1987 and 1988.
11 of the previous 12 winners had won four times or more
10 of the previous 12 winners had won over a mile
9 of the previous 12 winners were beaten last time out
9 of the previous 12 winners had won a Group/ Grade 1 race
6 of the previous 12 winners were aged 5
Breeders’ Cup Mile Runners & Jockeys Guide
NOTABLE SPEECH- CHARLIE APPLEBY/ WILLIAM BUICK
Last year’s 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner who got back to winning ways in the Woodbine Mile in Canada last time. Charlie Appleby and William Buick won this race three years in a row between 2021 and 2023 and they look to hold strong claims this year once again.
SAHLAN- FRANCIS-HENRI GRAFFARD/ MICKAEL BARZALONA
Progressive three-year-old who justified connections decision supplement him for the Prix du Moulin last time when beating Rosallion by a short head. He had previously only won a Group 3 at Deauville having been beaten at listed level the time before. He is an improving colt who is well drawn in Stall 3.
THE LION IN WINTER- AIDAN O’BRIEN/ CHRISTOPHE SOUMILLON
Inconsistent three-year-old who hasn’t won since his Group 3 Acomb Stakes victory last season. He has shown improved form since dropping back down to a mile with a close 3rd behind Sahlan in the Prix du Moulin and a runner-up effort in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot a fortnight ago when ridden by Christophe Soumillon for the first time. 18% of bets in this race on oddschecker the past week have been on him.
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FORMIDABLE MAN- MICHAEL MCCARTHY/ JOHN VELAZQUEZ
Four-year-old colt who has won two Group 2s on his previous two starts at this track. Often ridden patiently for a turn of foot, he may need some luck from Stall 8. Regular rider Umberto Rispoli instead rides Johannes.
JOHANNES- TIM YAKTEEN/ UMBERTO RISPOLI
Last year’s runner-up who was only beaten ¾ length at the finish by More Than Looks. He was a beaten favourite at Saratoga in August but got back to winning ways at Santa Anita last time in a Grade 2 contest.
Who is the betting favourite to win the 2025 Breeders' Cup Mile?
At the time of publishing, Notable Speech is the 9/4 favourite to win the 2025 Breeders' Cup Mile. The Lion in Winter and Sahlan are joint 7/1 second-favourites, and Rheotorical can be backed at 10/1.
| Breeders' Cup Mile 2025 Winner | Best Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Notable Speech | 9/4 | William Hill |
| The Lion in Winter | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Sahlan | 7/1 | bet365 |
| Rhetorical | 10/1 | Sky Bet |
| Johannes | 11/1 | Ladbrokes/Coral |
Odds last updated at 14:00 Tuesday 28th October.
Betting Insights for the Breeders’ Cup Mile
Although NOTABLE SPEECH (best priced at 9/4) was beaten in this race last season, he looks to hold strong claims this season. 45% of bets through oddschecker on this race this week have been on him including the biggest bet taken on the Breeders’ Cup antepost markets. Last season the colt had started his season in January on the AW, so it would have been no surprise for him to slightly underperform at this meeting in November.
Notable Speech started this year with a good run in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May and this will have no doubt been a long-term target for him. He was only beaten a head in the Prix Jacques le Marois in August before winning the Woodbine Mile last time despite not getting the clearest of runs. That race has previously been used by Wise Dan, World Approval, Modern Games and Master Of The Seas prior to winning this and he should prove hard to beat from Stall 2.
Recommended bet: NOTABLE SPEECH 9/4 (2pt win)
How to watch the 2025 Breeders' Cup?
The 2025 Breeders' Cup is available through multiple sources for UK viewers. Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV will show all 14 races at the 2025 Breeders' Cup and ITV4 will show three races on Saturday (Distaff, Turf, and Classic).
Compare odds from 25+ UK bookmakers on the 2025 Breeders' Cup on our dedicated homepage.
