2024 might have been the Year of the Dragon, but in the land of U.S. Thoroughbred racing, it was the Year of the “Grizzly.”

Godolphin’s homebred Rebel’s Romance made Breeders’ Cup history at Del Mar on Saturday, becoming the first two-time winner of the Turf (G1) in non-consecutive years.

French shipper Goliath delivered by far the best performance of his career to stun Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) at Ascot as a 25-1 longshot, booking his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

Overlooked at 15-1 in a deep renewal of the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on Saturday, Godolphin’s Rebel’s Romance parlayed an advantageous trip into a two-length victory at Meydan.

War Like Goddess emulated sire English Channel by scoring a repeat victory in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1). Earlier, McKulick rebounded in the Waya (G3),

Sunday’s Bowling Green (G2) at Saratoga took a gut-wrenching turn when odds-on favorite Rebel’s Romance clipped heels in midpack, and jockey Richard Mullen was catapulted onto the turf course.

Having raced just once since his Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) conquest, Godolphin shipper Rebel’s Romance hopes to use Sunday’s Bowling Green (G2) at Saratoga as a springboard to a big second half.

Rebel’s Romance capped a brilliant Breeders’ Cup for Godolphin when driving to a course record-setting victory in Saturday’s Turf (G1).

Hours after upsetting the Epsom Derby (G1) with 16-1 shot Adayar and placing third with Hurricane Lane, Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby dominated Saturday’s $500,000 Just a Game S. (G1) at Belmont Park. Homebred Althiqa rallied up the rail to defeat frontrunning stablemate Summer Romance and garner her first Grade 1 laurel.

After skipping the Kentucky Derby (G1), Rombauer exploded from off the pace to win the Preakness S. (G1) going away at odds of 11.80-1. Now he’s expected to bid for divisional leadership in the June 5 Belmont S. (G1), where several Derby alumni and a few new shooters are likely to pose fresh challenges.

Known Agenda returned to stakes competition with a convincing 2 3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Florida Derby (G1), a major qualifier for the Kentucky Derby.