The racing world held its breath in 2025, as the 'King of the Dirt Marathon' was notably absent. This is the story of Next, a remarkable gelding, and his potential final act on the track. But first, let's rewind and get acquainted with this champion.
Next, a son of Not This Time, trained by Michael Foster, has an astounding record. From September 2022 to September 2024, he dominated dirt races of 1 3/8 miles or more, boasting a stunning 9-for-10 record. His average winning margin? A staggering 13 lengths!
His last race was a challenging 14th-place finish in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic, where a change to a shorter distance proved unsuccessful. Now, Next is back in Doug Cowans' care at Turfway Park, with the goal of a final racing season in 2026.
The 2025 season was supposed to be another year of marathon dominance, but it wasn't meant to be. Bad weather, setbacks, and a limited race schedule all kept him sidelined. After a break following the Breeders' Cup, Next returned to Cowans in January 2025. Unfortunately, winter weather in Florence, Kentucky, disrupted training, and a minor illness in February further delayed his preparations. This meant he missed his usual season debut at the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs.
Next's racing schedule is typically limited to a few key races each year, including the Isaac Murphy in May, the Brooklyn Stakes in June or July, the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in August, and the Greenwood Cup Stakes in September.
Here's where it gets controversial: The New York Racing Association's decision to temporarily suspend the Brooklyn Stakes, which Next won in 2023 and 2024, added another layer of complexity. Cowans explained that with so few marathon races available, it made sense to give Next more time to recover and prepare for a potential 2026 return.
Next returned to Turfway Park in mid-November, transitioning from jogging to galloping. Cowans is optimistic, hoping to start breeze work in the coming weeks. These workouts will determine whether Next will race in 2026, at the age of 8. Jockey Luan Machado will assess if Next still has his championship form.
And this is the part most people miss: If Next isn't the same horse, the team has agreed he will retire. However, if he shows his old form, the Isaac Murphy Stakes will be the target, as it has been a comeback race for him. Even if he returns to his previous dominance and wins his traditional series, 2026 will be his final racing season.
Next has many potential career options post-retirement. Justin Atkins, an assistant trainer, joked that he and Cowans would fight over him. Cowans also expressed interest in Next exploring another discipline and potentially competing in the Retired Racehorse Project's Thoroughbred Makeover event.
Cowans emphasizes that Next loves to work and will have a home regardless of his racing future. The team will carefully monitor his progress in the coming months, with no pressure to rush his return.
What do you think? Will Next return to his former glory? What kind of post-racing career do you envision for him? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
