Further Ado became Gun Runner’s fourth Breeders’ Cup winner when the 3-year-old colt won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) by the narrowest of margins over Owen Almighty in the most scintillating finish on championship Saturday at Keeneland.
Further Ado actually broke on top before settling in fourth along the fence around the first turn. Jockey Flavien Prat held his spot down the backstretch. He sat patiently behind Full Serrano (ARG) and Owen Almighty on the final bend, then swung into the three path turning for home as Owen Almighty took the lead. The ensuing stretch battle showed both horses giving their all, with Further Ado getting the nod as they passed under the wire.
“I had no clue if we had won,” winning trainer Brad Cox said. “It looked right past the wire, the other horse had his nose down. But we had it down when it counted there at the mile distance and I’m very proud of the effort.”
Further Ado has a perfect record at Keeneland, breaking his maiden by 20 lengths in the autumn of his 2-year-old season, then winning the Blue Grass S. (G1) this spring by 11 lengths. The Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and Matt Winn S. (G3) are also on his resume. His overall record now stands at 5-2-1 in 11 starts, with earnings of $2,181,958.
Gun Runner’s previous Breeders’ Cup winners were 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Echo Zulu, 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone, and 2025 Juvenile Fillies (G1) winner Super Corredora.
