MAGNITUDE - Stephen Foster G1 2026 - Photo: Madison Becker - Agentes 305
Reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat will ride Magnitude in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland. The news was first reported by David Grening of Daily Racing Form (DRF).
Trainer Steve Asmussen confirmed Tuesday that Prat will ride Magnitude in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Prat is a two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He won the race aboard Flightline in 2022 at Keeneland and aboard Sierra Leone in 2024 at Del Mar.
Prat will replace Jose Ortiz, who rode Magnitude in his last six races.
Ortiz had major success aboard Magnitude this year. The pair won the Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan and the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.
However, Ortiz decided to ride Golden Tempo in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Golden Tempo won the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) earlier this year with Ortiz aboard.
Asmussen Surprised by Ortiz’s Decision
Asmussen said he is pleased that Prat will ride Magnitude. However, the trainer also admitted that he did not expect Ortiz to choose Golden Tempo.
“Yes, I was surprised,” Asmussen said.
Asmussen plans to have Prat work Magnitude on Sunday at Keeneland.
The workout will give Prat an opportunity to ride Magnitude before the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Ortiz Chooses Golden Tempo
Jose Ortiz had an important decision to make because he has won major races aboard both Magnitude and Golden Tempo.
Steve Rushing, the agent for Ortiz, said the decision was difficult.
One factor in the decision is the future of the two horses.
Golden Tempo is expected to continue racing in 2027. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is expected to be the final race of Magnitude’s career.
“You can make a case for either one,” Rushing said. “He’s won major races on both horses. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong decision to be made. It’s great to be in that position.”
Magnitude Gets a Two-Time Classic Winner
Magnitude has established himself as one of the leading dirt horses in the world this season.
His victory in the Dubai World Cup was one of the biggest performances of his career. He later returned to the United States and won the Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs.
The Stephen Foster victory also earned Magnitude an automatic place in the Breeders’ Cup Classic through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In program.
Now Magnitude will enter what is expected to be the final race of his career with one of the most successful jockeys in recent Breeders’ Cup Classic history.
Prat knows Keeneland and knows how to win the Classic at the Lexington track. He guided Flightline to an impressive victory in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.
Two years later, Prat won his second Classic aboard Sierra Leone at Del Mar.
A New Storyline for the Breeders’ Cup Classic
The jockey decision creates another important storyline ahead of the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Flavien Prat will ride Magnitude.
Jose Ortiz will ride Golden Tempo.
Ortiz has already enjoyed major success with both horses, but he could only choose one for the $7 million Classic.
Prat now receives the opportunity to partner Magnitude in what could be the horse’s final career start.
The two combinations will meet on October 31 at Keeneland, where some of the best Thoroughbreds in the world will compete for one of the most important races of the year.
About The Author
