Raging Torrent gives Maximus Mischief his first Grade 1 winner in Malibu S.

Raging Torrect closed out 2024 with his fourth win in five starts on the day after Christmas at Santa Anita Park with a resounding victory in the $300,000 Malibu S. (G1).

The 3-year-old colt, who won the Pat O’Brien S. (G2) against older horses in August, is Maximus Mischief’s first Grade 1 winner in the United States and one of his eight stakes winners in 2024. Maximus Mischief is one of four Spendthrift Farm’s stallions in the top five on this year’s Second-Crop sire list.

After a good break, Raging Torrent let Pilot Commander set the pace. After a half-mile in :44.29, Raging Torrent was just a half-length from the front and took over the lead in upper stretch. Stronghold closed late, but could get no closer than 1 ¼-lengths at the wire.

The final time of 1:21.54 earned Raging Torrent a stellar 104 Beyer Speed Figure.

“We knew this is a perfect distance, so we were so optimistic,” said trainer Doug O’Neill. “We really thought going into it, we were the best horse, the best distance. And just watching him day in, day out, he was training out of this world. So, yeah, he ran great.”

Raging Torrent is owned by Great Friends Stables and Mark Davis. With the win, the bay colt has earned $667,400 and is 5-1-2 in 12 starts. He was bred in Kentucky by Rodney J. Winkler & Alfonso Mazzetti and is the first foal out of Violent Wave.