Blowout victories, thrilling photo finishes, career-defining performances—the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar offered something for everyone.

Let’s recap the results of the 14 Breeders’ Cup races and highlight future plans for the winners:

Friday

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2):

Wesley Ward’s fleet filly Twilight Gleaming broke on top and never looked back, winning by half a length. The Juvenile Turf Sprint marked her return from a European foray, and Ward subsequently confirmed Twilight Gleaming will point to England’s prestigious Royal Ascot meeting in 2022.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1):

Echo Zulu remained unbeaten and unchallenged with a pacesetting 5 1/4-length romp, picking up her third Grade 1 win of the year. The 2022 Kentucky Oaks (G1) looms as a long-term target for the daughter of Gun Runner.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1):

With a dramatic rally through the field, Pizza Bianca finished furiously to prevail in a driving finish. The Christophe Clement trainee has already returned to the East Coast, and owner/breeder Bobby Flay has indicated Royal Ascot could be a target for Pizza Bianca next year.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1):

Corniche brought his record to a perfect 3-for-3 with a gate-to-wire score in the Juvenile, his second Grade 1 win of the season. Future plans are still to be determined, but the $1.5 million auction acquisition appears set for a productive 2022 season.

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1):

Although he was scratched for betting purposes, Modern Games ran for purse money only and unleashed an explosive finish to win by 1 1/2 lengths. But don’t expect to see Modern Games back in the U.S. any time soon—trainer Charlie Appleby indicated the 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket (the first leg of the British Triple Crown) is Modern Games’ next major target.

Saturday

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1):

Springing a surprise against 2-5 favorite Gamine, Ce Ce came rolling home outside of rivals to win the Filly & Mare Sprint by 2 1/2 lengths. Afterward, owner Bo Hirsch and trainer Michael McCarthy confirmed the three-time Grade 1 winner will stay in training for a six-year-old season in 2022.

Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1):

Golden Pal never looked back while wiring the Turf Sprint by 1 1/4 lengths, and trainer Wesley Ward has already outlined a detailed 2022 racing schedule for the star sprinter. The Shakertown S. (G2) in April at Keeneland will serve as a springboard to the King’s Stand S. (G1) at Royal Ascot, with the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland following in the autumn.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1):

In one of the most visually impressive performances of the Breeders’ Cup, Life Is Good carved out fast fractions before kicking away to win by 5 3/4 lengths as the 7-10 favorite. The once-beaten sophomore has plans for a big 2022 campaign, with the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) and the $20 million Saudi Cup on his immediate itinerary.

Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1):

With a bold rally between rivals, Loves Only You became the first horse based in Japan to win a Breeders’ Cup race. The globetrotting mare will remain at Del Mar for the time being before traveling to Hong Kong for December’s Hong Kong Cup (G1).

Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1):

A fast pace helped Aloha West rally from out of the clouds to prevail by a nose at odds of 11-1. Future plans are still to be announced for the four-year-old son of Hard Spun, though with just nine starts under his belt, a return trip to the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Sprint could certainly be a long-term goal.

Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1):

The accomplished sprinter/miler Space Blues capped off an 11-for-19 career with a well-timed half-length score in the Mile. The Godolphin homebred will now retire to a stud career.

Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1):

Japan picked up a second Breeders’ Cup victory when Marche Lorraine rallied from behind a blazing pace to upset the Distaff at 49-1. Having displayed her talent on a global stage, the daughter of Orfevre will have plenty of racing options if she stays in training for 2022.

Breeders' Cup Turf (G1):

An explosive rally from 13th place carried Yibir to half-length score in the richest grass event at the Breeders’ Cup, and it might not be the last time we see the Godolphin sophomore in the United States. While the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) next March looms as Yibir’s near-term goal, trainer Charlie Appleby mentioned the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) as a long-term target.

Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1):

After dashing to a clear lead through quick fractions, Knicks Go cruised home an easy winner in the championship finale, beating a strong field by 2 3/4 lengths. The son of Paynter will race once more in the 2022 Pegasus World Cup before retiring to stud.