Saffie Joseph Jr. Wins First-Ever Breeders’ Cup with Soul of an Angel

Saffie Joseph Jr. Wins First-Ever Breeders’ Cup with Soul of an Angel

CALIFORNIA, United States, CMC – Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr was on cloud nine over the weekend following Soul of an Angel’s capture of the US$1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar Saturday.

The milestone victory for the Florida-based trainer gave him his first-ever Breeders’ Cup success and the five-year-old brown mare’s first grade 1 win in 41 starts.

The Victory

Soul of an Angel, a 19-1 longshot ridden by Drayden Van Dyke, seemed an unlikely winner early, falling back to last in the field of nine, 12 lengths off the pace in the seven-furlong contest.

Society and Pleasant dueled through early fractions of 21.94 and 44.22 as Soul of an Angel lagged far back.

On the far turn, with a wall of horses vying for the lead, Van Dyke took Soul of an Angel to the outside and hit the top of the stretch six wide.

With clear running, Soul of an Angel wore down the leaders to prevail by a half-length in 1:21.59 over Society, who finished a nose in front of Pleasant.

The Reaction

The 37-year-old Joseph was ecstatic about his first Breeders’ Cup win and described Soul of an Angel as a “hero.”

“It’s a special moment to get our first Breeders’ Cup win and for connections that have been so loyal to me, C2 Racing, Agavo Racing. It’s just special for Drayden himself.

“The horse is the hero; we’re just part of the process. Enjoy the ride. All glory to God. I’m thankful and blessed just to experience this,” Joseph said.

“It’s something that I grew up as a kid, wanting to win a Breeders’ Cup race and to get it done it means a lot.

“Most definitely, it was a surreal moment because it’s one of those races where you could enjoy it. She was coming. She was coming. It worked out that she was coming. It was like, ‘Go with it, go with it,’ and she did. She got there. It’s just a special moment,” he added.

Plans for the Future

With the victory, Joseph said he would most likely enter her in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on February 22, 2025.

Conclusion

Saffie Joseph Jr.’s victory with Soul of an Angel is a significant milestone in his career as a trainer. The win is also a testament to the hard work and dedication of his team and the horse’s owners, C2 Racing and Agavo Racing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Saffie Joseph Jr.?
- Saffie Joseph Jr. is a Barbadian trainer based in Florida.
What is the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint?
- The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is a prestigious horse racing event held annually at Del Mar.
What is the Saudi Cup?
- The Saudi Cup is a prestigious horse racing event held annually at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia.