Touch of Destiny hits the wire unchallenged. (Hipodromo Maronas photo)
Asociacion Uruguaya De Propietarios De Caballos De Carrera
Son of Midshipman Gains Automatic Berth into Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile for World Championships at Del Mar
Breeders’ Cup Release
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Haras Phillipson’s undefeated homebred Touch of Destiny (URU) dominated Sunday’s Asociacion Uruguaya de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera (G3) at Hipodromo Maronas with a gate-to-wire victory. With this win, Touch of Destiny earned an automatic starting position into the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
Sunday’s race was this first Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series event to be held in Uruguay and completed this year’s leg of automatic qualifiers for the World Championships held in South America, joining previously run races in Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Peru.
Trained by Raimundo Soares and ridden by Luis Caceres, Touch of Destiny, a 2-year-old son of 2008 Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Midshipman, completed the 1- mile affair in 1:34.39 for his sixth win in as many starts, and first Group stakes win.
Breaking on top in the 6-horse field under rainy skies, Touch of Destiny, the 3-2 favorite, set the pace over Latte Macchiato (BRZ) with fractions of :22.94 for 400 meters and :45.59 through 800 meters. On the turn for home, 2-1 second choice Si Senor (URU) ranged up and tried to cut into the leader’s 2-length advantage. Instead, Touch of Destiny found an extra gear and increased his lead to 5 lengths over Si Senor and cruised to victory. Samba E Samba (BRZ) finished third, followed by Sugar Bite (URU) in fourth.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for Touch of Destiny to start in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated by the Oct. 20 pre-entry deadline in order to receive the rewards.
2025 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series South American Races
| Race Date | CTR | Race Name | BCWC Division (All G1) | Race Winner |
| 12/14/2024 | ARG | Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini Stakes (G1) | Breeders’ Cup Turf | Intense for Me (ARG) |
| 5/1/2025 | ARG | Gran Premio Criadores (G1) | Breeders’ Cup Distaff | Sarawak Rim (ARG) |
| 5/25/2025 | CHI | Gran Premio Club Hípico Falabella (G1) | Breeders’ Cup Mile | Gran Oriente (CHI) |
| 6/22/2025 | BRZ | Grande Premio Brasil (G1) | Breeders’ Cup Turf | Sinsel (BRZ) |
| 6/22/2025 | PER | Gran Premio Pamplona (G1) | Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf | La Kika (PER) |
| 6/29/2025 | URU | Asociación Uruguaya de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera (G3) | Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile | Touch of Destiny (URU) |
