Sierra Leone rallies to win Whitney at Saratoga

Aug 04, 2025 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

Sierra Leone wins the 2025 Whitney Stakes (Horsephotos.com)

Sierra Leone, the 2024 champion three-year-old male, got back to the winner’s circle for the first time since the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) last November in the $1 million Whitney (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 2.

Third in the New Orleans Classic (G2) and second in the Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs in two interim starts, Sierra Leone rallied from the tail of the field to win the 1 1/8-mile Whitney by one length over Highland Falls. Disarm finished third, while 6-5 favorite Fierceness finished fifth in the field of nine.

Sierra Leone completed one lap of Saratoga’s fast main track in 1:48.92 under Flavien Prat and paid $5.90 to win.

The Whitney was a Breeders’ Cup Challenge event, offering the winner an expenses-paid berth into the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. Sierra Leone will defend his title in the Classic, with his final prep likely to come in the Aug. 31 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga.

'I would [consider the Gold Cup] because he hasn't run that much this year,” trainer Chad Brown said. “I'm not afraid of running again, because if he comes out of it sound, I have a lot of time from the Jockey Club Gold Cup.'

The Whitney was the fourth career stakes win for Sierra Leone, who last season won the Blue Grass (G1) and Risen Star (G2) in addition to the Classic. He lost the Kentucky Derby (G1) by a nose to Mystik Dan and subsequently placed in the Belmont (G1), Jim Dandy (G2), and Travers (G1), all at Saratoga.

The Whitney was Sierra Leone’s first victory in four starts at the oldest track in the U.S.

Sierra Leone is owned in a partnership involving Peter Brant and the Coolmore principals. He is a son of Gun Runner, who won the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar en route to Horse of the Year honors, and out of Heavenly Love, a Grade 1-winning daughter of Malibu Moon.

The Classic is also expected to attract 2025 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, who next races in the Aug. 23 Travers.