Magnitude's bid for a second major victory over Forever Young and a final showcase before retirement ended Thursday when the Dubai World Cup and Stephen Foster winner was scratched from Saturday's $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland. The Breeders' Cup announced the removal of the Winchell Thoroughbreds 4-year-old from the field, while trainer Steve Asmussen told the Daily Racing Form that a PET scan found “some disruption in the suspensory fibers of his left fore.”
The finding closes the racing career of a colt who had transformed himself into one of the most accomplished older horses in the country. Magnitude opened 2026 with three consecutive victories, including a one-length defeat of defending Classic winner Forever Young in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan and a Stephen Foster triumph over Sovereignty at Churchill Downs. His record also includes eight wins from 15 starts and earnings reported at more than $9.6 million, according to the Classic field information compiled before Thursday's scratch.
There was a clear reason to believe Magnitude could rebound from his latest race. He stumbled at the start of the Aug. 8 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga and finished sixth, beaten 15 1/4 lengths, in the poorest performance of his career. Saratoga had also been the scene of an earlier disappointing effort, while his victories at Meydan and Churchill came through aggressive, front-running performances. That pattern made the switch to Keeneland particularly important, and Asmussen had repeatedly praised the colt's preparation over the surface.
Magnitude's training suggested that he was moving toward the Classic in excellent condition. After shipping to Keeneland in late September, he worked five furlongs in 1:02, 1:02.60, 1:00.60 and 1:00.60 before covering the distance in 1:01 on Oct. 24. A Paulick Report clocked his Oct. 17 move in 1:00.60, tied for the fastest of 24 works at the distance that morning. Asmussen said after an earlier Keeneland drill that the horse had settled in beautifully and appeared to handle the track extremely well.
The injury also changes the tactical complexion of the Classic. Magnitude was drawn in post 6 at 6-1 on the morning line, behind Forever Young, Sovereignty, Knightsbridge and Golden Tempo in the early market. His withdrawal leaves a seven-horse field and removes the runner most capable of forcing the pace while carrying proven victories over two of the leading contenders. Forever Young now gets another chance to defend his title, while Sovereignty avoids a rematch with the horse who beat him in the Stephen Foster.
There will be no comeback attempt after the scan. Coolmore America's Ashford Stud announced that Magnitude has been retired and will stand the 2027 breeding season, giving the colt a valuable résumé built around international success, a Grade 1 win at Churchill and victories over the two principal names remaining in the Classic. The decision prioritizes his long-term future over one final attempt to erase the Whitney disappointment.