The 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships kicked off with a spectacular display of horsemanship at Del Mar, California, as the O’Brien family dominated the opening day. Aidan O’Brien, already a legend in the sport, secured his record-breaking 21st Breeders’ Cup victory with Ireland-bred Gstaad in the $1 million Juvenile Turf. His son, Donnacha O’Brien, followed suit, claiming his first Breeders’ Cup triumph as a trainer with Balantina’s thrilling victory in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies. The O’Brien dynasty’s success underscored their enduring influence in global horse racing. Meanwhile, Godolphin, the Dubai-owned racing powerhouse, faced setbacks on Friday but remains a formidable contender for Saturday’s championship races. Rebel’s Romance, aiming for a historic third consecutive win in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, leads Godolphin’s charge. The absence of Kentucky Derby champion Sovereignty, withdrawn due to illness, cast a shadow over the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, but the event still promises high-stakes drama with the world’s top Thoroughbreds competing for racing immortality.