Tag Archive for: Breeders’ Cup Festival

Classic hero Sierra Leone to stay in training next year

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Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone will remain in training as a four-year-old, part-owners Coolmore have announced.

The son of Gun Runner, out of Grade One-winning mare Heavenly Love, is trained by Chad Brown and was recording a deserved big-race victory at Del Mar after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Belmont Stakes.

Following the first two legs of the Triple Crown he chased home Fierceness in both the Jim Dandy and the Travers – but turned the tables in the Classic, relishing the strong pace to win by a length and a half.

His owners also fielded Aidan O’Brien’s Derby winner and race favourite City Of Troy, who failed to take to the dirt surface on a disappointing night for him in California.

Coolmore posted on X: “The owners of Sierra Leone are thrilled to announce that he will be racing as a four-year-old.

“After a remarkable three-year-old campaign, Sierra Leone arrived in Kentucky on Monday and is now enjoying some time off at Ashford Stud, where he will rest and recharge before returning to the track.

“We would like to thank Chad Brown and his entire team for all of their hard work and unwavering belief in Sierra Leone, particularly his work rider Kriss Bon, his groom Edgar Orantes Payeras, and Chad’s assistant trainer Baldo Hernandez.

“While no definitive race plans have been made yet, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented and promising colt.”

Cromwell delighted with Fiery Lucy’s California effort

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Fiery Lucy is on her way back to Ireland after finishing fourth at the Breeders’ Cup on Friday.

Although without a victory since winning a Fairyhouse maiden on her second start in mid-June, Gavin Cromwell’s filly finished second in a valuable sales race at Naas and filled the runner-up spot in successive Group Three races at the Curragh, encouraging connections to head to California.

While no match for her hugely impressive compatriot Lake Victoria, who cemented her status as ante-post favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas and Oaks by maintaining her unbeaten record with a dominant display, Fiery Lucy emerged with plenty of credit in being beaten just three lengths in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

And Cromwell feels the result may have been even better had she enjoyed a clearer run in the early part of the race.

“It was a great run. I suppose it’s probably making excuses, but the draw didn’t help. She got bumped around at the first bend and got shuffled very far back,” he said.

“He had to use her up a bit going down the back then. I know she got a great run up the home straight, but the early part of the race probably showed at the end, as she didn’t hit the line.

“She’s en route to come back. I don’t have a plan (for next year). We’ll get her home and we’ve plenty of time to make one.”

More Than Looks halts Appleby run with Mile success

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More Than Looks flew home to deny Charlie Appleby a fifth straight FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar.

It was 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech who was tasked with enhancing Appleby’s tremendous record in this race, and alongside Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna, formed a strong European challenge.

Irish raider Porta Fortuna was short of room early as jockey Tom Marquand had to settle for a position in mid-pack, just ahead of Notable Speech, and met trouble throughout as the year’s leading filly at the distance failed to get involved.

However, a record-setting success looked possible for Appleby when William Buick pulled Notable Speech wide and turned on the son of Dubawi’s renowned after-burners entering the straight.

Notable Speech scorched home from a position in rear, but coming from even further back was More Than Looks, who powered his way to the front to give trainer Cherie DeVaux a first Breeders’ Cup victory.

The four-year-old winner reversed form with leading US contender Carl Spackler who did not figure at the business end, as Tim Yakteen’s Johannes held on for second, with Notable Speech third.

DeVaux said: “I really don’t know how to say it in words, this is just unbelievable.

“This is a horse we have had a lot of faith in from the beginning, things just haven’t gone to plan. The ownership group have been extremely patient with the plan we laid out for him and really all the credit goes to More Than Looks because he has been up against it all year and has answered every call and we’re here because of it.”

Buick said of Notable Speech: “I followed Umberto (Rispoli) on Johannes and had a pretty good trip.

“He ran a super race, it was his first time in a track like that.

“I thought it was between the two of us and then the winner arrived, showing that we had gone slow early.

“I’m extremely proud of the horse. To come here and leave with a winner (Rebel’s Romance in the Turf) is a credit to the whole team.”

Cinderella’s Dream edged out by Moira in Filly & Mare Turf

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Time ran out for Charlie Appleby’s Cinderella’s Dream in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf with her late thrust in vain, as Moira landed the spoils at Del Mar.

The Moulton Paddocks handler won this contest with Wuheida in 2017, but there was not to be a repeat with both his Cinderella’s Dream and Beautiful Love out of luck in California.

Kevin Attard’s runner had finished behind stablemate Full Count Felicia in Woodbine’s E P Taylor Stakes in September, but with the latter setting the pace, Flavien Pratt aboard the Canadian-trained scorer was able to position his mount in the perfect position as the contest entered the final turn.

With William Buick on Cinderella’s Dream trapped on the inside with nowhere to go, Pratt and Moira were able to set sail for home unchallenged and although the Godolphin-owned favourite finished with a flourish, Moira could not be reeled in.

Didia was a close-up third with Cinderella’s Dream’s stablemate Beautiful Love, in the hands of Oisin Murphy, fourth.

Attard said: “She’s just a very special horse and very deserving of this. I’m lost for words and emotional right now.

“It’s a dream come true and I’m so happy for her because she’s had some tough luck in Grade Ones and today she has proved she is the best turf horse in the world.

“These are things you dream of as a kid, wanting to be a trainer. I have to thank the connections for entrusting me with her and obviously my staff for bringing me to this point in my career. It’s a team effort and I have a lot of people behind me and obviously the jockey did a great job.”

On the performance of the runner-up, Buick said: “I had a good trip off a slow pace. I decided to wait, but I didn’t get the split in time.

“She hadn’t done the trip before so I tried to save everything I could.”

Classic disappointment for City Of Troy at Del Mar

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Coolmore got their hands on the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, but it was Sierra Leone and not City Of Troy who landed the spoils, as Aidan O’Brien’s quest for a fairytale success in Del Mar ended in disappointment.

Most of the pre-race build-up had centred on whether O’Brien’s all-conquering son of Triple Crown hero Justify could transfer his exceptional turf form to dirt and end O’Brien’s quest for an elusive win in the $7million showpiece.

However, Ryan Moore knew his fate very early as the Derby winner was slowly away and almost immediately had plenty of work to do.

While City Of Troy was floundering it appeared chief US hope Fierceness had the race at his mercy as he swung the turn for home with Bob Baffert’s Newgate for company, but Chad Brown’s Kentucky Derby runner-up was eating up the dirt with every stride in the hands of Flavien Prat and edged his way to an unassailable lead as the wire came into range.

Japanese contender Forever Young ran on for third, with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Newgate fourth.

O’Brien said: “He was left at the start where he lost three lengths and we didn’t have him prepared to break quickly enough. We thought we had, but we hadn’t. He was making up ground at the end (finishing eighth), but Ryan had no chance.

“He inspired us as a horse that could do well in the Classic, and it was so sporting of the lads to run him in it.

“When you get back that far on a dirt surface you can’t do anything about it. I should have had him coming out quicker, it just left Ryan with no chance really. I need to step it up a bit, don’t I, have them a little bit better prepared. We’re learning all the time. Hopefully we’ll try harder next year.”

City Of Troy in the paddock before the Breeders' Cup Classic
City Of Troy in the paddock before the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Neil Morrice/PA)

As well as the Derby, City Of Troy won the Eclipse and Juddmonte International this year, adding to his Dewhurst win as a juvenile.

He now heads for a stallion career, and O’Brien added: “The lads were never afraid to push the boundaries. It’s been a great privilege to train him. It was an incredible experience for us all and we will look forward to his babies now.”

Moore felt his mount was brave in defeat. He said: “They went so hard and he just couldn’t get going.

“I let him get comfortable and he’s done well to keep going to the line.”

For Brown, it was a 19th win at the Breeders’ Cup, just one behind O’Brien, and a first in the Classic.

He said: “To lose a Kentucky Derby by a nose – for him to come out and show so much and be on the go since January he’s a remarkable horse in soundness and mind. He’s a good horse who is cooperative. He makes your job easy.

Flavien Prat rides Sierra Leone to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic
Flavien Prat rides Sierra Leone to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

“For him to have this moment having seen what happened in the Derby and the Travers (third to Fierceness) this more than makes up for it all.”

He went on: “To finally get this done (win the Classic). We haven’t had many runners and have just dabbled in the Classic. You never know when you will be up here again because this is the toughest race in the world.

“Fierceness is a great horse, but our horse hasn’t ever thrown it in. Our horse is all consistency, for me it’s hard to see that he’s not the best three-year-old.”

Rebel’s Romance is Turf king again for Appleby and Buick

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Rebel’s Romance produced a tremendous display at Del Mar to win the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf for a second time.

Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting star won this prize two years ago, but whereas James Doyle was in the saddle at Keeneland, it was William Buick who got his moment aboard the big-race favourite this time around in California.

Buick made a key early move to take Rebel’s Romance up with the pace, sitting hot on the heels of the leader Cabo Spirit.

Rounding the turn for home Buick asked his mount for maximum effort as he left his rivals flat-footed in the charge for the line before then holding on gamely as Japanese contender Rousham Park finished full of running, having been at the rear alongside Emily Upjohn through the early stages.

It was an 11th Breeders’ Cup win for Appleby who once again showed his prowess at this meeting, although there was to be no dream reunion for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori as the well-fancied Emily Upjohn failed to figure.

But much of the gloss was taken off the race with the death of Brian Meehan’s Royal Ascot winner Jayarebe, who collapsed on the track after crossing the line, suffering what veterinary officials said was believed to be a “cardiac event”.

AAEP on-call veterinarian Dr Al Ruggles told NBC Sports: “We offer our condolences obviously to all the connections. It’s suspected to be a cardiac event, they are unusual but can occur. If in fact that is it, post-mortems don’t help answer that question generally and they are almost impossible to predict. In a horse that is training well you wouldn’t know it.”

Of the globetrotting Rebel’s Romance, Appleby said: “First and foremost he’s very much a yard favourite and he’s built up this worldwide fanbase, most notable when he went to Hong Kong when everybody knew him.

William Buick celebrates aboard Rebel's Romance
William Buick celebrates aboard Rebel’s Romance (PA)

“Throughout the race I was pleased with where he was and pleased he made the move when he did. He’s a superstar, he really is. When you watch him run, you really feel it – you want him to win.

“To be campaigned at that level for the time he has takes a lot of guts.”

He went on: “He (Buick) was pretty confident we had got the job done, but he was idling because we’d been out there for so long.

“This fella owes us nothing. Obviously we would like to take him back to Dubai for the Sheema Classic, he’s a real star and draws all the media attention.

“With a horse like him he takes the pressure off you. When you roll a horse like him out you know you are going to get everything from him.

Like any athlete it takes a good one to knock him off his peg

“We planned to come back for the Turf last year, but he’d lost all of his mojo.

“We had to build him back up. Like any athlete it takes a good one to knock him off his peg.”

Emily Upjohn could never get in a blow under Frankie Dettori, finding little racing room, and John Gosden, who trains alongside his son, Thady, confirmed she had run her last race.

He said: “She hasn’t had a hard race, but that’s it now, she’s going into retirement.”

Thorpedo Anna confirms her class in Distaff

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Thorpedo Anna capped a memorable campaign with victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar.

The first part of a glorious weekend in May for trainer Kenny McPeek when winning the Kentucky Oaks, the brilliant filly had added two further Grade Ones since then and was only beaten a head by crack colt Fierceness in the Travers Stakes.

Swiftly to the lead here in the hands of regular partner Brian Hernandez jr, she had Raging Sea to keep her honest for a while before asserting her clear authority in the final furlong.

McPeek – who won the Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan the day after Thorpedo Anna landed the Oaks – said: “It’s fantastic, the team at home, all working hard. You can’t do it without them.

“I love that Brian took the initiative and got it done.

“We are planning to race her next year.”

Starlust has star power in Turf Sprint for Beckett and Ryan

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Starlust stormed to victory in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar for the Arc-winning combination of trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan.

It looked for all the world as though hot favourite Cogburn would be a blistering winner as he swept clear of Bradsell and the rest of the field under Irad Ortiz jr, but his early exertions told at the business end as the challengers closed in.

South African raider Isivunguvungu led the chase, but from out of the clouds Ryan powered into contention and Starlust got his head down and in front where it mattered, beating Motorious and AG Bullet.

There was an anxious time for winning connections in the immediate aftermath, however, as Isivunguvungu’s rider Manny Franco lodged an objection against the winner for interference, although the stewards did not take long to confirm the result.

Beckett said: “Wow, what a ride he gave him. What a ride – I’m very proud of what he’s achieved this year.

“It’s extraordinary and I’m really pleased for Jim and Fitri Hay (owners).

“He’s a really tough horse who has stormed through. He’s really tough, he hasn’t had a break all year.

“He’s a horse who kind of trains himself. He treated Dubai as a holiday because we couldn’t get him to do what we wanted, but he ran well in the Juvenile Turf Sprint last year and we felt if he could stay on their coattails today he could benefit.”

On the inquiry, Beckett added: “Flashbacks to Secret Gesture who was taken down in the Beverly D Stakes in 2015. I was concerned because they operate under different rules, but I was glad to get the job done.”

Ryan said: “It wasn’t the plan, Ralph left it up to me. I jumped well, Ralph said over five try to jump well but after half a furlong take a little pull. Luck was on my side today, the gap opened and he took it well.

“By the top of the straight I thought we would be in the first four, but they couldn’t hold that frenetic gallop and it just played into my hands.”

George Boughey’s filly Believing reared and unseated Ryan Moore in the stalls, leading to the runners being momentarily unloaded. She appeared to emerge unscathed, but was immediately withdrawn.

Henri Matisse masters Juvenile Turf challenge

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Henri Matisse came out on top to land the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt and his rivals were made to wait in the stalls after Aomori City broke through the starting gates and had to be reloaded.

When the field got away, the winner’s class showed as he overcame a wide passage to soar to success on a fruitful day for Ryan Moore and the Coolmore team.

Henri Matisse was O’Brien’s 20th Breeders’ Cup winner, equalling the record of the great D Wayne Lukas.

“It’s incredible, we all know what a special man he is. I’m honoured to be anywhere close to his record,” said O’Brien.

“I’m delighted for everybody. What can you say about Wayne? He rang me earlier in the week and he told me about this track, how to ride it and what to do and what not to do.

“He was saying about the Classic and how he thought we should ride our horse (City Of Troy). We feel very grateful and really privileged that he was so good to tell us everything – honoured really.

“I remember Wayne came down and told us what to do about the pony (when Giant’s Causeway ran in the 2000 Classic), then he said ‘I’ll come down and I’ll do it for you’.

“That was the Giant’s Causeway time and ever since he’s been such a help to us, we’re just so grateful to him. What a special man.”

Henri Matisse won his first three starts earlier in the year
Henri Matisse won his first three starts earlier in the year (Brian Lawless/PA)

Henri Matisse won his first three starts and then finished second in the National Stakes, prompting O’Brien to try him in blinkers in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

The trainer said: “He went to the front in the National Stakes and dinked a bit. Then he had another legitimate excuse when I put blinkers on him.

“Ryan thought in France we did the wrong thing in putting blinkers on him, he was a little bit shy and he got a bad bump early and got a bit of a fright.

“He had to come through the bad ground and Ryan said to put a line through the run, there were a good few things went wrong.

“We always thought he was a very good horse, he’s another Wootton Bassett, an unbelievable talent.

“He’s not finished article yet but Ryan gave him a brilliant ride, he’s a beautiful horse, a very well bred horse.

“It’s so special and one thing about them is they get better every week.

“Ryan thinks he’ll be a miler, which means he’ll be a Guineas horse.”

Moore was impressed with the manner of Henri Matisse’s victory over Iron Man Cal, with Aomori City having made up late ground to take third.

The rider said: “He won that very easily, he showed us ability right from the start but things didn’t go his way in the National Stakes.

“A couple came out today and he was drawn 12 but he was easily the best. It was a very good performance.”

Lake Victoria sweeps aside Breeders’ Cup rivals

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Lake Victoria’s flawless record remains intact after she struck in the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar.

Aidan O’Brien’s Frankel two-year-old was ridden by Ryan Moore on an inside line in the opening stages of the one-mile contest, with the filly significantly tightened up for room on the first bend.

Lake Victoria appeared to briefly lose her balance, but Moore soon got her back on an even keel and was able to regain momentum on the rail.

In the straight she was switched out to find some racing room and when asked was easily able to pull away to a comprehensive success, extending her unbeaten run to five races and adding a third top-level success after victories in the Moyglare and Cheveley Park Stakes.

O’Brien was full of praise for Moore’s ride given the trouble Lake Victoria encountered in the initial exchanges.

He said: “Whether she got crowded or was bumped I’m not sure, but Ryan was further back than he wanted to be. He was in a terrible position but he gave her a brilliant ride

“The lads (Coolmore) decided to give her a bit more time (after the Cheveley Park) and come here and Ryan was very confident.

“Ryan says she will be a miler and we will train her for the Guineas. Hopefully she will get a mile and a quarter.

“We will let her thrive over the winter with the colts and then we will map out plans for all of them into the new year.”

Moore was in no doubt about Lake Victoria’s class before the race and felt she had stamped her authority in style.

He said: “She had very strong form, all she needed was normal racing luck she had her share of that and she was much the best.

“I had no concerns about the distance she had won over seven at the Curragh and to me there was no doubt that she would get the mile – she was way too good for them.

“Going forwardm she’s more of a miler and probably a Guineas filly.”

Reflecting on the incident on the first turn, Moore added: “She got pushed into the fence and that was that. They had gone pretty quick and by the end of the back (straight) most of them were done.

“She jumped very well but there were quite a lot of them wanted to lead, there wasn’t much space.”

Aidan O'Brien (right) celebrates with Derrick and Paul Smith
Aidan O’Brien (right) celebrates with Derrick and Paul Smith (PA)

The filly is owned by the Coolmore triumvirate but runs in the colours of Michael Tabor, who is eager to see what the filly achieves in the future.

He said: “Something happened that I couldn’t quite see but she showed she is special under a great ride.

“She ranks very highly with some of our best fillies, only time will tell how good she is.”

Magnum Force delivers winning performance at Del Mar

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Magnum Force showed a superb turn of foot to take the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

The Ger Lyons-trained colt took a neat line to lose very little ground from stall four in the hands of Colin Keane.

In the straight he was tucked behind the leaders but accelerated to pull away and secure a comfortable success on the line.

Arizona Blaze ran on at the finish to take second for Adrian Murray, making it an Irish-trained first and second, with home runner Governor Sam taking third.

“I knew he’d need some luck in running and he got it,” said Keane.

“His last two runs in England were very good, albeit he was beaten and things didn’t really go to plan.

“We were well placed, he’s a horse with a lot of natural pace and thankfully I chose the right route in the straight.”

Lyons was delighted to see Magnum Force turnaround recent Doncaster form in the process of victory.

He said: “My horse had a late start to the season, he loves fast ground and when he ran at Doncaster, I vowed that if the horses that beat him were going to the Breeders’ Cup then we should.

“Hopefully we will get him home safe and sound, we’ll let him down and the sky will be the limit next year.”

Lyons was eager to praise Keane, who is set to be crowned Irish champion jockey for sixth time on Sunday.

He added: “Colin is the most underrated champion jockey on planet earth and I would like to see him on the big stage more.

“He’s had maybe three rides at the Breeders’ Cup and he’s won two. It’s about the time the world woke up to him.

“It’s fantastic, it’s a huge credit to the horse, a huge credit to my team. Big thanks to my owner, there’s plenty of us guys at home who can do this if we get the horses.

“The secret to training winners is getting the horses, it’s a simple as that. If a clown like me can train a winner at the Breeders’ Cup, anybody can!”

Magnum Force (third right) reversed Doncaster form at Del Mar
Magnum Force (third right) reversed Doncaster form at Del Mar (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Mick Appleby-trained Big Mojo had finished a length and a quarter ahead of Magnum Force in the Flying Childers at Doncaster last time, but was beaten into fourth.

Appleby said: “He had to go very hard to get a position but he battled away. The ground was a bit quick for him.”

Jockey Tom Marquand added: “He really needs six furlongs on a track like that.”

Archie Watson’s Flying Childers winner Aesterius was also in the line up but after racing prominently under James Doyle, he dropped back to finish sixth.

The rider said: “We got into a good position on the turn but he weakened in the straight.”

Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Whistlejacket and Ides Of March finished fifth and seventh respectively, with Shareholder coming home 12th for Karl Burke.

Meehan eyeing more Breeders’ Cup Turf glory with Jayarebe

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Jayarebe can cap an excellent campaign when he bids to give Brian Meehan a third win in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Saturday.

The Zoffany colt has not let his connections down throughout a fantastic season that has seen him win three of his five starts and score in both the Hampton Court Stakes and at ParisLongchamp in the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend.

The Royal Ascot hero – who will again be ridden by Sean Levey – now heads to California looking to follow in the footsteps of Red Rocks (2006) and Dangerous Midge (2010), who have both won this event for the Manton handler in the past.

Jayarebe after winning the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot
Jayarebe after winning the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Meehan said: “He’s an adaptable type of horse and Sean knows him so well. The trip’s good, and he will switch between 10 and 12 furlongs next year.

“This has been on Jayarebe’s radar since the spring and all his form is good, whether you look at the Dollar, the Hampton Court or the Feilden.

“The Breeders’ Cup is my favourite meeting and it’s wonderful to be back. To win a championship race on another continent is very special.”

Also with history in the Turf are John Gosden and Frankie Dettori, who teamed up to win this race with the great Enable in 2018 and are reunited Stateside with Emily Upjohn.

Frankie Dettori was reunited with Emily Upjohn on Wednesday
Frankie Dettori was reunited with Emily Upjohn on Wednesday (Neil Morrice/PA)

The evergreen Italian, who relocated to America at the end of the 2023 British Flat season, has ridden the daughter of Sea The Stars to both her previous Group One victories and is a fitting pilot for what could be her career swansong.

Aidan O’Brien won this event with Auguste Rodin 12 months ago and will saddle both Luxembourg and British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes runner-up Wingspan.

Meanwhile, Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting star Rebel’s Romance looks to recapture the title he won in 2022, having regained the winning thread at Cologne in the Preis Von Europa.

“Everybody knows about Rebel’s Romance, who always runs with his heart on his sleeve, and I was delighted with his run in Germany,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler.

Rebel's Romance after his victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf
Rebel’s Romance after his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (PA)

“He left there with credit, as they went hard, while the winner and second came from off the pace. He was just getting a bit tired in the last hundred yards, and William (Buick, jockey) said he will improve a ton.

“This horse has built up his own fan club, and it would be fantastic if he were to win it again.”

The Godolphin trainer also has a strong hand in the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf with Cinderella’s Dream and Beautiful Love.

Both fillies have built up plenty of experience in America as part of Appleby’s satellite team and could give the handler his second victory in the race here at Del Mar, having saddled Wuheida to strike in 2017.

Trainer Charlie Appleby has a fine record at the Breeders' Cup
Trainer Charlie Appleby has a fine record at the Breeders’ Cup (Mike Egerton for The Jockey Club/PA)

“Cinderella’s Dream won a race which was strange to watch and then had a long ship to Woodbine, where she had a touch of colic and couldn’t run,” said Appleby.

“I toyed with running her in the Queen Elizabeth but decided against it and now she looks great, and ready to go.

“Beautiful Love won a Grade Three in the Big A and was unlucky on her second start. She deserves to be there.”

Soprano was a winner at Royal Ascot winner
Soprano was a winner at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Other British interest is provided by George Boughey’s Royal Ascot heroine Soprano, who has remained in the States since picking up a silver medal in Keeneland’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup last month and now tries a mile and three furlongs for the first time in her career.

“She looks great and she has stayed out here since Keeneland when she was second in the QEII,” said Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“I think she will get the trip round here and Billy Loughnane is convinced she needs that trip now to be seen at her best effect, so let’s hope he is right. You never know until you try.”

O’Brien on City Of Troy: ‘We don’t think we could have done any more’

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City Of Troy’s Del Mar date with destiny has finally arrived and on Saturday he will attempt to etch his name into the history books when lining up for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

It is a race courted by all associated with the son of Justify since he proved unstoppable at two and the momentum has continued to build and build throughout his three-year-old season, now reaching a crescendo in California ahead of the final start of the colt’s somewhat brilliant career.

The Classic has proven something of a holy grail for trainer Aidan O’Brien and his quest to get his hands on the dirt feature has seen him saddle some of Ballydoyle’s best in the $7million contest.

Breeders Cup Horse Racing
Rachel Richardson rides City Of Troy at Del Mar (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Giant’s Causeway has come closest to breaking O’Brien’s Classic curse when agonisingly denied by Tiznow in 2000, while the likes of Galileo, Hawk Wing and George Washington have all tried and failed when tasked with conquering America’s richest purse.

O’Brien now prepares to saddle the horse he regards as the best to have ever graced his hallowed Tipperary training grounds, as the imperious Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner tackles the dirt surface on which his Triple Crown-winning sire made his name.

He said: “There’s so many things that are going to be new and different to him. Obviously, we prepared him in Europe and he has an awful lot to overcome.

“Ryan (Moore, jockey) is vastly experienced now. Dreams don’t always come true, but we’re very happy with where we are and at the moment, we don’t think we could have done any more.

“Winning the Classic is more difficult than any other achievement in sport.”

In a truly international contest, Yoshito Yahagi will attempt to add the Classic to his decorated CV with leading Japanese contender Forever Young, the Saudi and UAE Derby scorer who went oh so close to plundering the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs earlier in the year.

Yahagi saddled a memorable Breeders’ Cup double the last time the festival was held at Del Mar, and his hopeful arrives on the back of a confidence-boosting win in the Japan Dirt Classic in early October.

“Everything has gone well since he has arrived at Del Mar, he settled in well and we’re very happy with how he has been training,” said Hiroshi Ando, racing manager to owner Susumu Fujita.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result in the Kentucky Derby, we had no luck in that race but we had always planned to come back to the Breeders’ Cup after that run in the Kentucky Derby. We are on plan and he had a great win in his prep race to prepare for this.”

Forever Young is ready for his Breeders' Cup assignment
Forever Young is ready for his Breeders’ Cup assignment (Neil Morrice/PA)

Joining Forever Young among a three-strong raiding party from the Far East is last year’s runner-up Derma Sotogake and Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup silver medallist Ushba Tesoro, who was fifth at Santa Anita 12 months ago.

However, it is City Of Troy the Forever Young team fear, as their son of Real Steel bids for Classic glory from an inside draw.

“Obviously, number one is a very tough barrier number, but it is what it is, we have to go through it,” continued Ando.

The Forever Young team fear City Of Troy
The Forever Young team fear City Of Troy (Adam Davy/PA)

“There are three Japanese runners and they are all very talented, but also from Europe there is City Of Troy, who is an amazing horse.

“We have seen City Of Troy’s performances and he moves fantastically. He is an amazing horse, a champion horse – and we are very honoured to race against him, he is one of the best horses in the world and of course a very dangerous horse to us in this race.”

The Classic’s most successful trainer Bob Baffert has called on a familiar name and a rare European jockey to win the race in Frankie Dettori to partner his California Crown Stakes third Newgate.

However, America’s main hope is the Todd Pletcher-trained Fierceness, who claimed last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in emphatic style.

Fierceness is already a winner at the Breeders' Cup
Fierceness is already a winner at the Breeders’ Cup (PA)

Owned by the Repole Stable operation of New York businessman Mike Repole, the colt has established himself as North America’s leading middle-distance performer on dirt thanks to success at Saratoga in the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes.

“The time off since the Travers has done him well and we’re all very pleased with how he is heading into the race,” said Ed Rosen, general manager of Repole Stable.

“To use a cliche, you want to keep them happy and healthy once they have hit top form and Todd seems to be very happy with Fierceness since his most recent workouts.

“It’s very exciting and it’s been a build-up over time and now we are getting closer, you begin to get a little bit more nervous. When you compete in the Classic here, you need to be at your very best to win.”

Appleby has every chance of continuing Mile domination

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When it comes to the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Charlie Appleby has been an unstoppable force and he now goes for a record fourth straight success with 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech at Del Mar on Saturday.

The Moulton Paddocks handler’s winning run began right here in the San Diego suburbs with Space Blues in 2021 and he has saddled Modern Games and Master Of The Seas to take home the prize for the last two years.

However, he now runs arguably his best contender yet in his Classic-winning son of Dubawi, who has shown his aptitude for a tight turning track when winning at Kempton in his early days and then his quality for red-hot assignments by scoring not only at Newmarket in the spring, but also in the Sussex Stakes.

Notable Speech (centre) made his first three appearances at Kempton
Notable Speech (centre) made his first three appearances at Kempton (Steven Paston/PA)

Appleby said: “Notable Speech is in great form. If they go hard they will come back, but he’s one of those horses you would be comfortable about wherever he is during the race.

“He’s drawn six. I didn’t want to be any wider, but that gate still gives William (Buick, jockey) options. He’s an exciting horse and is, with his 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes wins, the highest-profile horse I’ve ever brought out here.”

Notable Speech was sunk by the ground in the Prix du Moulin last time out, with Appleby adding: “We know he doesn’t want soft ground, but he travelled and settled well and all the signs are good.”

The race lost some of its spice when Christopher Head’s Ramatuelle was ruled out of the race on Friday, but Notable Speech still faces a worthy adversary in Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna.

Porta Fortuna (left) winning the Matron Stakes
Porta Fortuna (left) winning the Matron Stakes (Healy Racing/PA Wire)

Second in the 1000 Guineas before landing the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, she has since cemented herself as one of Europe’s leading performers at the distance by adding Group One victories in the Falmouth Stakes and Matron Stakes.

“She ran a belter in the Guineas first time out and after that, she hasn’t missed a beat since,” said O’Brien.

“We’ve had a great year with her, it’s great to bring her back here and hopefully we can finish the year on a high.

“She’s trained very well, we’re very happy with her, she’s healthy and happy and everything has gone to plan, so all is good so far.”

Porta Fortuna will be partnered by Tom Marquand and the trip to Del Mar represents a chance to go one better than when just touched off at Santa Anita 12 month’s ago.

O’Brien added: “We learned last year that she handles it very well, she handles the travel good and she’s travelled over well again this year.

“You can never be sure how they will cope with a long flight like that and adjusting over here, it can be very different for them, but she’s got a great temperament, so we’re lucky that way.”

Donnacha’s father Aidan O’Brien will not have a runner after Diego Velazquez was scratched. Chad Brown’s Carl Spackler and Tim Yakteen’s Johannes appear the pick of the US contingent, both arriving on a winning streak.

Still Believing – Highclere hoping this is filly’s moment to shine

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There could be a fitting end to a fantastic season for Believing in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, with George Boughey’s filly backed to “get her skates on” and finally get her moment in the sun in California.

The four-year-old has been a model of consistency for connections, only once outside the top four in a multitude of the year’s hottest sprint contests and winning twice along the way.

Ryan More was the man in the saddle when she struck at the Curragh in the summer and the 41-year-old’s big-match experience is backed to come to the fore when he climbs aboard his willing ally at Del Mar on Saturday.

Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: “Ryan is such a go-to man and has ridden some wonderful horses for us over the years. He knows this filly well and he knows the track well and he’s pleased to be riding her.

Believing winning at the Curragh
Believing winning at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

“She gives you everything and you know when you ride Believing she absolutely leaves not an ounce in the tank. She’s like her father Mehmas and when you have a horse like that it’s exciting to come to a championship race knowing you will get everything she can give.”

This will be Believing’s 10th start of 2024, but Herbert is still backing the ultra-tough speedster to put her best foot forward.

He added: “Hopefully she’s ready to run well and she will have to get her skates on around here.

“She’s drawn well which is great and makes a big difference – if she can break well, she is drawn well and she seems to be in great form. She’s had a busy season, but she seems bright and George couldn’t be happier with her.”

It is Archie Watson’s Bradsell who has proved a thorn in Believing’s side, winning both the Nunthorpe and Flying Five Stakes with the Boughey-trained sprinter in second.

Bradsell has been better than ever this summer
Bradsell has been better than ever this summer (Mike Egerton/PA)

A narrow defeat on testing ground in the Prix de l’Abbaye brought an end to Bradsell’s imperious winning run since returning from a career-threatening injury and he now searches for one last hurrah Stateside before a stallion career beckons.

Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Victorious Racing, said: “He didn’t really like the ground at Longchamp and he was very brave to run through that. We think he prefers a firmer surface and hopefully the surface should suit us out there.

“Obviously it’s not an ideal draw in 12, but hopefully he can get forward and the big American horse Cogburn (trained by Steven Asmussen, in nine) is also drawn a bit wide so hopefully they can get across and it does not impede him too much.

“He retires to the National Stud after this run and hopefully he can run one last big race and show us what he can do again.”

Also making his final career appearance is Big Evs, who is another having to combat being positioned out wide in stall 11.

Big Evs struck Breeders' Cup gold
Big Evs struck Breeders’ Cup gold at Santa Anita (PA)

He gave handler Mick Appleby one of the biggest days of his career when scorching to Juvenile Turf Sprint glory at Santa Anita last year, but will arguably need a career best to replicate Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal and bring the curtain down on his career in style with a Breeders’ Cup double.

“He’s got a tough ask being stuck out wide and hopefully he can break well like he normally does, otherwise I think he will be up against it from that draw,” said Appleby.

“He’s in good form and we know he can come round the bend well, I just hope he can jump well so he can get a decent position coming round the bend. We’ve freshened him up since York and he’s absolutely bouncing.

“It’s nice to go back to America and it will be nice to go out with a win, but as long as he comes back safe, that is always the main thing.”

Starlust could end Ralph Beckett and Rosa Ryan's year on a real high
Starlust could end Ralph Beckett and Rosa Ryan’s year on a real high (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ralph Beckett’s Starlust was third behind Big Evs at Santa Anita 12 months ago and could cap a phenomenal autumn for the Arc-winning handler and his jockey Rossa Ryan, while Charlie Appleby will saddle Star Of Mystery who has built up plenty of experience in the US this summer.

“Star of Mystery will need to break from the draw and then get the breaks in running,” said Appleby.

“She put up two good performances at Saratoga where on one occasion you couldn’t see her because she’s so small.

“She won easily on her second start and was probably an unlucky loser at Keeneland. I think she will be bang there.”