Catching Up With 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic Runners

Accelerate impressed in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and many fans might know he retired to stud for 2019, but what about the rest of the Classic field? Read on to find out what all 14 of the 2018 Breeders' Cup Classic starters are up to one year later as Christina Moore, for America's Best Racing, provides an update.

Accelerate 

Classic finish: First place

What happened next and where is he now?

After a memorable one-length victory in the Classic, Accelerate was named champion older dirt male. He raced once more, finishing third in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) in January, before retiring for stud duty to Lane's End Farm, where he stands for a fee of $20,000.

Gunnevera

Classic finish: Second place

What happened next and where is he now?

After a strong runner-up effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Gunnevera would finish sixth in the Pegasus World Cup before shipping to the Middle East to run in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1). He ran third there but has been rested since for a variety of minor injuries, recently returning to training in Florida. The $16,000 yearling purchase has now amassed more than $5.5 million in earnings.

Thunder Snow

Classic finish: Third place

What happened next and where is he now?

Thunder Snow headed home to the United Arab Emirates and finished second in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) before becoming the first horse to ever win two editions of the Dubai World Cup in March 2019. He then returned to America and finished third in the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on Belmont Stakes day, but a fever prevented his planned run in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. He's now back in training with an eye toward a Dubai World Cup three-peat.

Yoshida 

Classic finish: Fourth place

What happened next and where is he now?

A grade 1 winner on dirt and turf, Yoshida returned to the grass for the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) and finished sixth. After two more disappointing efforts in the spring he was runner-up in the Whitney and finished third in the Woodward Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), both at Saratoga. He's currently training up to a potential start in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic.

Mendelssohn 

Classic finish: Fifth place

What happened next and where is he now?

Mendelssohn ran once more after the Classic, finishing fourth in the Cigar Mile Handicap Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), before being retired to stud duty at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky for 2019 with a $35,000 fee. Though he won just four of 13 career starts, the son of late successful sire Scat Daddy is a half brother to successful sire Into Mischief  and multiple champion mare Beholder, making him valuable as a young stallion.

Lone Sailor

Classic finish: Sixth place

What happened next and where is he now?

After a brief vacation post-Classic, Lone Sailor returned to the races in 2019 and tallied a trio of in-the-money finishes in graded stakes through July. He headed to South Korea for the Keeneland Korea Cup in September but finished a disappointing 10th of 11.

West Coast 

Classic finish: Seventh place

What happened next and where is he now?

Two-time grade 1 winner West Coast retired after the Classic and launched his stud career this spring at Lane's End Farm, where he stands for a fee of $35,000.

Discreet Lover

Classic finish: Eighth place

What happened next and where is he now?

A feel-good story of the 2018 Classic, Discreet Lover got a break after the race and made his 2019 debut in the Charles Town Classic (G2) in April but finished last of six. He's been rested since then due to some minor issues and could return to training in December.

Axelrod

Classic finish: Ninth place

What happened next and where is he now?

Axelrod was sold prior to the Classic and his new majority owner shipped the colt to the Middle East for 2019, where he raced twice in the at Meydan but could do no better than ninth in the Dubai World Cup. He is being aimed at the new Saudi Cup in February 2020.

Pavel

Classic finish: 10th place

What happened next and where is he now?

Pavel has been a global traveler since last year's Classic, shipping first to Japan for the Champions Cup (G1) and then to the U.A.E. for the Dubai World Cup. He finished fourth in Dubai and later ran third in the Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park in July before an unplaced effort in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) Aug. 17 at Del Mar.

Mind Your Biscuits

Classic finish: 11th place

What happened next and where is he now?

Mind Your Biscuits was retired after the Classic and sent to the Yoshida family's Shadai Farm in Japan where he took up stud duty this year. 

McKinzie

Classic finish: 12th place

What happened next and where is he now?

McKinzie wrapped up 2018 with a win in the grade 1 Malibu Stakes and has finished first or second in each of his six graded stakes starts this year. His win in the grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga was the first Whitney win for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. McKinzie is expected to be one of the favorites in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic, though it will be with a new jockey in Joel Rosario.

Catholic Boy 

Classic finish: 13th place

What happened next and where is he now?

Catholic Boy didn't begin his 2019 racing season until May and it hasn't been smooth sailing. He won the Dixie Stakes (G2T) on the turf and finished second in the Suburban in his first two 2019 starts before a fourth-place finish in the Knickerbocker Stakes (G2T) Oct. 14. He's dealt with a number of minor issues this year but connections are hopeful he can make a repeat appearance in the Breeders' Cup, though it might not be in the Classic. The TVG Mile (G1T) and Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile (G1) also are options.

Roaring Lion

Classic finish: 14th place

What happened next and where is he now?

Although Roaring Lion disappointed in his first dirt attempt in the Classic, he was still named Europe's 2018 Horse of the Year after scoring four straight group 1 wins over the summer. He was retired to Tweenhills Stud for stud duty in 2019 and traveled to New Zealand for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season but became gravely ill with colic after leaving quarantine. Surgery was performed in an attempt to save his life but sadly he eventually succumbed and was euthanized in late August.