Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner’s Owners Seek Investigation Into Last-Minute Scratch
The co-owners of 2023 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio have retained legal counsel following the horse’s controversial scratch moments before Saturday’s GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.
The decision to remove the Race Day colt from competition came on the recommendation of the on-track veterinarian in a call to the stewards, sparking immediate backlash from the ownership group.
C2 Racing Stable, which co-owns the horse with Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable, issued a formal statement Tuesday afternoon via their X social media account demanding a “full and transparent investigation” into the matter.
According to the ownership group, White Abarrio had undergone a PET scan at the Breeders’ Cup’s request, which “resulted in findings normal for a race horse in training.” They noted the horse was examined daily by Breeders’ Cup veterinarians throughout the week leading up to the race.
“He was also examined every day by Breeders’ Cup veterinarians in the week leading up to the race, including on the morning of the race and the veterinarians deemed him fit to race,” the statement read.
The owners emphasized that jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. reported the horse warmed up “perfectly” on the track before the late scratch decision.
To be clear, the health and safety of our equine athletes is always of paramount importance. On that point, all parties can agree. If there were any facts or circumstances to support the notion that White Abarrio was in any way unfit to race, we would wholly support a decision to scratch him. However, in this instance, there is no such evidence.
The statement indicated that neither trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. nor the ownership group were provided with clear reasoning for the scratch. They pointed to the horse’s 24 career races and their “full compliance with the pre-race examination protocols” as evidence of their commitment to equine welfare.
C2 Racing Stable and Gary Barber have formally requested that the Breeders’ Cup, the California Horse Racing Board, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club preserve and disclose all documentation related to the scratch decision.
The ownership group stated they would not be answering questions or making further comments “until such time as we determine next steps.”
WHITE ABARRIO scratch from Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile prompts co-owners to investigate protocols. pic.twitter.com/FFBaxYbjt8
— C2 Racing Stable (@C2RacingStable)
WHITE ABARRIO scratch from Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile prompts co-owners to investigate protocols. pic.twitter.com/FFBaxYbjt8
— C2 Racing Stable (@C2RacingStable) November 4, 2025
