Flavien Prat Lands Breeders' Cup Classic Ride on Magnitude

Flavien Prat has secured the mount on Magnitude for the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Oct. 31 at Keeneland. The high-profile ride became available when the colt’s regular rider, José Ortiz, opted to stay with Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo.

Magnitude’s trainer, Steve Asmussen, confirmed the switch on Tuesday. Ortiz had been the colt’s pilot for his two biggest wins this year: the Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 28 and the Stephen Foster (G1) on June 27. Asmussen admitted he was caught off guard by the decision. "Yes, I was surprised," he said. Steve Rushing, Ortiz’s agent, explained the difficult choice, noting that Golden Tempo is expected to race again in 2027 while the Classic is likely the final start for Magnitude.

Prat is no stranger to the sport’s biggest stage. He brings a formidable record to the assignment, having already won the Breeders’ Cup Classic twice. He guided the legendary Flightline to victory in the 2022 edition at Keeneland and repeated the feat aboard Sierra Leone at Del Mar in 2024. Those are two of his nine career Breeders’ Cup wins. The French-born rider, who earned Eclipse Awards as outstanding jockey in both 2024 and 2025, will work Magnitude on Sunday at Keeneland ahead of the race.

Golden Tempo, trained by Cherie DeVaux, enters the Classic off a third-place finish as the 2-1 favorite in the Travers Stakes (G1) on Aug. 29 at Saratoga. That was his first start since winning the Belmont. Ortiz has ridden the colt in every start of his career, and DeVaux has kept him on target for the Classic since the Travers. The decision sets up a fascinating clash between two of the year’s top horses with top-tier jockeys committed to their cause.

Magnitude has not raced since his Stephen Foster win in late June, as Asmussen has trained him up to the Classic. Prat’s experience with fresh horses and his proven ability to win on racing’s biggest day makes him a logical and powerful choice for the connections.

• Prat replaces José Ortiz on Dubai World Cup winner Magnitude for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
• Ortiz stays with Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner he has ridden throughout the colt’s career.
• Prat has won the Classic twice before, with Flightline (2022) and Sierra Leone (2024).
• Magnitude’s last race was on June 27; he has been trained specifically for the Oct. 31 Classic.