AGENTES 305 | HORSE RACING NEWS | OCTOBER 13, 2026

Pegasus World Cup winner Skippylongstocking will miss the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31 after a hind foot abscess interrupted his training schedule. The veteran runner is now expected to conclude his racing career with two final starts before retiring to stud in 2027.

Daniel Alonso’s Skippylongstocking, one of the most accomplished older dirt horses in North America, has been withdrawn from consideration for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.

According to a report published by Daily Racing Form (DRF), trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed on Tuesday, October 13, that the 7-year-old son of Exaggerator has been dealing with a hind foot abscess, preventing him from completing the necessary preparation for the championship race.

Skippylongstocking has not recorded an official workout since finishing third in the Charles Town Classic (G2) on August 28.

“We just ran out of time,” Joseph told DRF. The trainer explained that the horse needed to complete a workout on Sunday or Monday to remain on schedule for the Classic.

Joseph emphasized that competing successfully at the highest level requires a horse to be in peak physical condition, making the decision to skip the race necessary.

Breeders’ Cup Plans Come to an End

The 2026 Breeders’ Cup Classic would have marked Skippylongstocking’s third appearance at the World Championships and his first attempt in the event’s premier race.

His previous Breeders’ Cup appearances came in the Dirt Mile (G1), where he finished third at Santa Anita in 2023 and sixth at Del Mar in 2024.

This year’s Classic was expected to provide another opportunity for the experienced runner to compete against the world’s leading dirt horses.

However, his interrupted preparation has forced connections to shift their attention toward the final chapter of his racing career.

One Final Pegasus World Cup Challenge

Despite missing the Breeders’ Cup, Skippylongstocking is expected to return to competition before retiring to stud.

His connections are targeting two additional starts, beginning with the Harlan’s Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park on December 26.

That race is expected to serve as preparation for the 2027 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), where Skippylongstocking will attempt to become the first horse to win the prestigious race twice.

In January 2026, Skippylongstocking captured the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, adding one of the most important victories of his career to an already impressive record.

A second Pegasus World Cup victory would provide a memorable conclusion to his racing career before he transitions to stallion duties.

A Career Defined by Consistency and Durability

40

Career starts

14

Victories

$6M+

Career earnings

Skippylongstocking has established himself as one of the most durable and successful graded stakes performers of his generation.

Through 40 career starts, he has recorded 14 victories, four second-place finishes, and nine third-place finishes, accumulating more than $6 million in earnings.

In addition to his Pegasus World Cup triumph, he has captured 11 Grade 2 or Grade 3 stakes races, including consecutive victories in the Charles Town Classic in 2023 and 2024.

His accomplishments also extend to the American Triple Crown series. In 2022, Skippylongstocking finished fifth in the Preakness Stakes (G1) before earning third place in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Those performances helped establish his reputation as a competitive and versatile dirt runner capable of performing at different distances.

Retirement to Amsterdam Two Farm

Following his anticipated final appearance in the 2027 Pegasus World Cup, Skippylongstocking is scheduled to begin his stallion career at Amsterdam Two Farm near Middleburgh, New York.

His introductory stud fee has been announced at $3,500.

The son of Exaggerator will enter the breeding industry with an extensive racing résumé, highlighted by his Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup victory, multiple graded stakes successes, and more than $6 million in career earnings.

For now, the immediate priority is allowing Skippylongstocking to recover fully before preparing for his final two races.

Although his Breeders’ Cup Classic ambitions have ended, the veteran still has an opportunity to close his remarkable racing career with a historic achievement at Gulfstream Park.

Source: Daily Racing Form (DRF), October 13, 2026. Reporting and trainer comments attributed to DRF.