Michael Foster’s horse, Next, enters the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic on an impressive streak of seven consecutive wins, amassing a margin of over 90 lengths. Next missed the entire 2025 season due to unfavorable weather and a limited race schedule that didn’t suit the horse’s preferred pace style, as the son of Not This Time thrives in longer distance races. However, there’s hope for a return in 2026 for this marathon specialist.
Trainer William Cowans shared with bloodhorse.com that Next, turning 8 on January 1, is expected to resume training at Turfway Park with breezing planned in the weeks ahead. Cowans noted that Kentucky’s harsh winter slowed Next’s preparation for the 2025 season, and a minor illness in February caused further setbacks. As a result, Next did not participate in his usual season opener, the Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes during Kentucky Derby week.
Additionally, the NYRA’s choice to cancel the Brooklyn Stakes—a marathon race—due to construction at Belmont Park also impacted Next’s racing options. This left just two possible races on the horizon: the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga in August and the G3 Greenwood Cup at Parx in September. Both were ultimately deemed poorly timed for Next’s return, prompting a decision to wait and target the 2026 season instead.
Cowans explained, “Our plan is to rejuvenate him, and if he doesn’t show his old form, we’ll retire him. If he’s ready to come back, we’ll target the Isaac Murphy since it’s close by and has traditionally marked his comeback. We’ll let the horse guide us—it all depends on how he feels. If he’s not the same horse, then he won’t make a return.”
Cowans claimed Next on April 16, 2022, paying Keeneland $62,500. A Columbus, Ohio native with about 50 horses under his care at Turfway Park and the Thoroughbred Training Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Cowans decided to claim Next after observing several of his races. “There were a few reasons,” Cowans told the media ahead of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup. “I’d seen him run several times at Turfway, and although he lost some key races, he was a great fit for our stable, and I thought we’d enjoy having him. I never imagined he would turn out special.”
Cowans added, “Early on, we noticed his extraordinary stamina and knew there was something unique about him. We took a different approach, trying longer distances—like the mile and a half race at Ellis Park, where he showed promise. He had tremendous endurance, and that turned out to be the key.”
Overall, Next has won 13 out of 24 races in his career and earned $1,336,361.
This article was first published by Paulick Report on December 14, 2025, and appeared in their News section. You can select the Paulick Report as your preferred news source for horse racing updates.
—
Fan Take: Next’s potential comeback is thrilling news for horse racing enthusiasts because it highlights the resilience and longevity of marathon race specialists. If he returns strong, Next could inspire a renewed appreciation for endurance races and add excitement to the sport’s future.
