Race Analysis for the 2025 Eddie Read Stakes: Contenders to Consider Beyond the Favorites in this Year's Competing Horses
In the 2025 edition of the Eddie Read Stakes, held at the Del Mar Racetrack, it was Formidable Man who emerged as the clear winner. The four-year-old colt, trained by Michael McCarthy, ran 1 1/8 miles on turf in 1:48.55, securing a fifth consecutive win at Del Mar.
Formidable Man, bred in Kentucky by Town & Country Horse Farms, has been making waves in the racing world. His sire is City of Light, while his dam is yet to be revealed. The colt has already amassed a impressive resume, with multiple graded stakes victories under his belt. These include the Caesar's Sportsbook Oceanside Stakes, the Del Mar Derby, the Hollywood Derby, and the Frank E. Kilroe Mile.
Umberto Rispoli, the jockey who rode Formidable Man, guided him expertly through the race, ensuring a dominant win. The colt demonstrated his ability to adapt to different courses and conditions, a trait that has become his trademark.
Balnikhov, another contender in the race, was bred in Ireland by T. de La Heronnierre & Gestut Zur Kuste AG. This six-year-old gelding, sired by Adaay, has consistently shown the ability to finish strong against quality company. However, in the 2025 Eddie Read Stakes, he did not manage to challenge the winner, finishing behind Formidable Man.
Unfortunately, Gold Phoenix, a past winner of the Eddie Read Stakes (in 2023), was scratched from the 2025 race. This 7-year-old gelding, bred in Ireland by Mighty Universe Ltd., had previously shown a strong liking for the Del Mar turf course and distance, making him a key figure in pre-race analysis. Gold Phoenix, a son of Belardo out of Magnifica, a mare from a family that produced multiple Group winners, transitioned to Phil D'Amato's barn and quickly established himself as a stakes-caliber horse. He has won the Del Mar Handicap an impressive three times (2022, 2023, 2024).
In summary, the 2025 Eddie Read Stakes was a thrilling race, with Formidable Man emerging as the clear top contender and winner. Balnikhov ran but did not challenge the winner, while Gold Phoenix, another strong contender, was scratched from the race. Despite his absence, Gold Phoenix remains a formidable force in the racing world, with multiple graded stakes wins and a strong affinity for Del Mar under his belt.
[1] Del Mar Thoroughbred Club press release, July 27, 2025. [4] Daily Racing Form, July 27, 2025.
Formidable Man's exceptional performance in horse-racing events continued, as he won the 2025 Eddie Read Stakes, adding another graded stakes victory to his impressive record. Despite Balnikhov's consistent strong finishes, he was unable to challenge Formidable Man in the race.
