Tag Archive for: Breeders’ Cup Festival

Pletcher backing Fierceness to topple Troy in Classic clash

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Todd Pletcher is relishing the opportunity to take on City Of Troy with his star colt Fierceness in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Saturday.

While Aidan O’Brien’s Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International hero will be tackling dirt for the first time in California, Fierceness is well proven on the surface, having landed the Florida Derby and the Travers Stakes since his brilliant display in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile 12 months ago.

Pletcher, who won the Classic with Vino Rosso in 2019, insists he has “tremendous respect” for City Of Troy, who is of course a son of the American Triple Crown hero Justify – but he also has plenty of belief in his own horse ahead of Saturday’s showpiece.

“I don’t see the track as being an issue. He likes Santa Anita, which isn’t dissimilar, and I feel the main task we have is to work out a good trip for him,” the trainer said on Monday.

“This is a talented group of horses but he’s travelled well and settled into his surroundings as I hoped he would.

“He’s a very straightforward horse to work with, he’s very laid back, and while he can occasionally get fired up in the paddock, aside from that he’s always been easy to deal with.

“We have tremendous respect for City Of Troy as well as for Aidan’s high regard for the horse. But we know full well that this will be a different kind of race than he has ever run in, even taking into account that he’s by Justify.”

Todd Pletcher has high hopes for Fierceness
Todd Pletcher has high hopes for Fierceness (Neil Morrice/PA)

The only disappointing run of Fierceness’ season to date came in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, the same day as City Of Troy suffered the only defeat of his career in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Reflecting on his Kentucky Derby effort, Pletcher added: “He didn’t jump well and he was wide most of the way. Nothing went according to plan.”



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Mike Smith confident City Of Troy ‘should handle the dirt’

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Just like his sire Justify always did, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith expects City Of Troy to “mean business” when he takes his place in the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar.

A four-time winner of the Classic, the 59-year-old Smith has had the privilege of being associated with some of the greatest horses in American racing during his long and highly-decorated career.

One of the very best Smith has ridden is Justify – the all-conquering Triple Crown hero of 2018 and since revered as a stallion thanks to the exploits of, among others, City Of Troy.

Like most, Smith has been a key observer of City Of Troy’s rise to the top of the middle-distance tree and is now excited to see Justify’s most famous son tackle dirt in the final stanza of his career.

Mike Smith has followed City Of Troy's career closely
Mike Smith has followed City Of Troy’s career closely (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I’ve followed his career really closely because he is by Justify, who I was blessed to have ridden to a Triple Crown,” said Smith.

“I’ve been keeping a close eye and he’s going to be coming in fresh and coming in strong – and I know he will be fit.

“He should handle the dirt and I think the only thing that might be a nuisance to him is the kickback. But he’s going to be handy, it’s not like he is going to be way back and I think he will be somewhere close.

“Hopefully, he can keep the kickback out of his face and if he can do that, I see no problem with him getting a mile and a quarter on the dirt, it should be right up his alley.”

Of course, City Of Troy has made his name on the turf, while Justify was the exceptional dirt horse of his generation.

But Smith feels the apple does not fall far from the tree and when the gates open, City Of Troy exudes the same professionalism as his illustrious sire.

Smith continued: “Early on, he was just like his father in that he was so straightforward. There was no messing around and he was a horse that although he was only two and just starting out, he ran like a four-year-old.

“Ryan (Moore) has always been able to turn him off and on, put him up close if needs be, stay a little further back if he has to – and he has always run his ‘A’ race, maybe with the exception of that one time where he ran a mediocre race (in the 2000 Guineas).

“After that, they gave him a bit of time and boom, back to the winner’s circle he went. He’s about as honest as they come, like his father was, and that is one similarity, there is no messing around, they both mean business out there on track.”

Mike Smith celebrates after a victory at the Breeders' Cup
Mike Smith celebrates after a victory at the Breeders’ Cup (PA)

Smith first got his hands on the Classic aboard Sonny Hine’s Skip Away in 1997 and then after a 12-year wait, he won it three times in the next seven years, starting with the towering mare Zenyatta in 2009.

It remains one of the races Smith cherishes more than any other on the American calendar.

“Without a doubt, the Breeders’ Cup Classic is one of those races you want to win. It’s a very important race for us out here in the States and it’s our biggest purse,” explained Smith.

“The Kentucky Derby would be the most prestigious, but the Classic is the toughest race and requires the most talent, as they come from all over the world to try to win it.”

Justify apart, ask anyone to name a horse associated with Mike Smith and the answer is likely to be Zenyatta.

The darling of American racetracks was a sight to behold, and her racing style – cutting through runners from the back of the field – only served to endear her further.

Few racing moments can compare to her win in the 2009 Classic. As commentator Trevor Denman put it: “This is UN-BE-LIEVABLE!”

“She speaks for herself and I just wish everyone had got the opportunity to see her in person – she was worth seeing,” said Smith.

“She was brilliant and fun to watch up close with all her paddock antics and dancing. She just towered over her competition and even when she ran against the boys, she was bigger than they were.

“My vocabulary is not good enough to do her justice, but she was a once-in-a-lifetime horse.”

There is also a certain Arrogate, winner of the Travers, the Classic, the Pegasus World Cup and Dubai World Cup in a sensational four-race spell from August 2016 to March 2017.

“When he was fit and healthy and ran his ‘A’ race, I don’t think there was a horse in the world who could have beaten him that year,” said Smith.

“He was just a beast and the numbers he ran and the speed figures he produced were just incredible. He’s probably the fastest horse at a mile and a quarter I’ve ever been on.

“He wasn’t right at four and he ended up passing away very young as a sire.

“He wasn’t even a smidgen of the same horse I had got on in the Dubai World Cup, he just wasn’t the same. He still ran well in his races, but he just wasn’t the same.”

But for all the Justifys, Zenyattas, Arrogates and many, many others, there is a victory at the Curragh that Smith is rightly bursting with pride over – that of Fourstars Allstar in the 1991 Irish 2,000 Guineas.

“Still to this day, he is the only American horse to do it – that’s just incredible,” continued Smith.

“I love to go back and look at the racecard and see who was in there, the great riders – every jockey in the race was a Hall of Famer and a half!

“I was just a kid and it was such a thrill. I can go back and look at that race and to this day I still get goosebumps. I just can’t believe I won it.”



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American racing fraternity eagerly awaiting Classic siege of Troy

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Flightline’s trainer John Sadler believes City Of Troy could become a generational great if transferring his exemplary turf form to dirt at the Breeders’ Cup.

Some of America’s most famous racing names are eagerly awaiting the stateside appearance of Aidan O’Brien’s Classic contender, including Californian great Sadler, who has twice got his hands on the dirt feature.

The 68-year-old famously broke his own duck at the end-of-year world championships when Accelerate saw off a field including UK contenders Thunder Snow and Roaring Lion at Churchill Downs in 2018.

Four years later, it was the turn of superstar colt Flightline to bring the curtain down on his flawless career when the Breeders’ Cup was held at Keeneland.

Not only was Flightline’s imperious performance memorable from that historic Lexington occasion in 2022, but also the clamour from all in attendance to get a glimpse of the son of Tapit in the paddock before striding out on track to dazzle the world.

Flavien Prat with Flightline after the Breeders' Cup Classic
Flavien Prat with Flightline after the Breeders’ Cup Classic (PA)

One of those eager to witness Flightline in the flesh was O’Brien, and Sadler feels the sentiment will be replicated when the Ballydoyle raider arrives at Del Mar for his Classic tilt.

“Oh, I think we will be there to see him and everyone is excited to see the Classic and it is going to be a very interesting race,” said Sadler.

“It’s extremely exciting and it will add a lot to the event at Del Mar – and City Of Troy is obviously one of the top horses in the world.

“Even over here, we’ve been paying attention to the videos and we watched him when they took him to the synthetic track (Southwell) for his workout. It’s not an easy ask to win the Classic and I think it is very sporting of them to attempt it.

“It’s tricky to say how he will do and turf to dirt is very hard. The fact he is by Justify, I like that. The Japanese horses are also good and it is going to be a truly international race.”

Flightline’s eight-and-a-quarter-length Classic success is not only the greatest winning distance in the history of the race but ensured the unbeaten bay would go down in the annals of racing as a modern great.

John Sadler and connections of Flightline at the Longines awards in early 2023
John Sadler and connections of Flightline at the Longines awards in early 2023 (Molly Hunter/PA)

Classic success would see City Of Troy join Flightline in the upper echelons of racing folklore, but Sadler is certain there would only be one winner in a fantasy land where the two locked horns.

“Well, I know what would have happened,” quipped Sadler. “Flightline was a generational horse here and with City Of Troy, he also has the chance to stamp himself as a generational horse if he is to win at the Breeders’ Cup.

“We know he’s a great horse and we know what the people in Europe think of him over there. We have only seen videos of him over here, but we know he’s a good horse and it’s going to be a great race.”

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen is another relishing this year’s Classic and states City Of Troy will be representing not just O’Brien and Coolmore, but the whole of Ireland when he tackles the tight turns of Del Mar.

A winner of over 10,000 career races, the 58-year-old still regards saddling Curlin in 2007 and then Gun Runner at Del Mar 10 years later as the two greatest days of his long and distinguished career and feels only the very best version of City Of Troy will be good enough on November 2.

“I know the sense of pride and following that Curlin and Gun Runner had and how proud everybody was when they proved how good they were on that stage and when City Of Troy runs in the Classic, he will be carrying the hopes of a country,” said Asmussen.

“It’s been wonderful to watch the videos of City Of Troy’s workouts and to see the crowd he attracts, it’s what horse racing is all about – great horses with great opportunities. I will be very fortunate to be in the stands when the Classic is run, even without a participant this year.”

He added: “I believe his ability is brilliant and that is obvious. But odds are for what you have done previously and the race is for the day. Your previous races don’t count for you.

“I don’t believe his ‘B’ game wins it, he has to bring his ‘A’ game – that’s what wins it.”

One horse standing in City Of Troy’s way in Del Mar is Todd Pletcher’s Fierceness, with last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion cementing himself as America’s number one Classic contender by winning the Travers Stakes in the summer.

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

Owned by New York businessman Mike Repole’s Repole Stable operation, connections are relishing putting their established dirt performer up against a horse they feel has it all to prove in his first outing on the surface.

“He’s obviously an impressive horse, but the big question has got to be how he will handle the dirt having never run on it,” said Ed Rosen, general manager of Repole Stables.

“I know they took him to Southwell and simulated a race for him, but that was on Tapeta and we think that is more like turf than dirt.

“There is no question about the quality of City Of Troy, but there has to be a question about the dirt. They have tried it numerous times and Giant’s Causeway has finished second, so it is possible, but definitely a question.”

Kenny McPeek is one of a select group of Americans to have won all three legs of the Triple Crown throughout his career and although the Classic has so far eluded him, he knows all the qualities needed to make a high-ranking dirt performer.

American Trainer Kenny McPeek
American Trainer Kenny McPeek (Chris Radburn/PA)

His own Breeders’ Cup hopes will be carried by Distaff candidate Thorpedo Anna at Del Mar, with his Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan skipping the Classic.

However, he will be a keen observer and feels City Of Troy has a mammoth task on his hands that will prove if he truly is his father’s son.

McPeek said: “I think it’s a tough challenge to take a horse who has accomplished what he has done on turf and shift him to the dirt and it will really tell us if he is a Justify or is he a Galileo – which one is he?

“This is what makes racing interesting and I admire them for having a shot at it. What’s the worst that can happen? If he doesn’t run well, he becomes a turf stallion and comes back to Europe, but if he won the Classic, he could even stand in America.

“I don’t know the horse that well and unfortunately I can’t train Aidan’s horses. But I have observed him and been impressed by him and all that he has achieved.”



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Fierceness team ready for huge City Of Troy showdown

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The team behind Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Fierceness are confident they have America’s best dirt horse on their hands ahead of his mouthwatering clash with City Of Troy at Del Mar.

Owned by the Repole Stable operation of New York businessman Mike Repole and trained by Todd Pletcher, Fierceness has already tasted success at the Breeders’ Cup when an ultra-impressive winner of the Juvenile at Santa Anita last November.

Although faltering when sent off favourite for the Kentucky Derby earlier this year, he has left that Churchill Downs disappointment way in the past, winning his last two.

Last seen claiming the Grade One Travers Stakes at Saratoga – with Chad Brown’s Sierra Leone in third – he heads to where the surf meets the turf as the home team’s main hope of Classic success.

Buoyed by Fierceness’ work since that Travers victory, connections are now looking forward to challenging the very best from around the globe in the $7million event, as joining City Of Troy on the dirt are some of Japan’s best middle-distance operators.

“Fierceness is doing great and Todd says he is training fantastically ahead of the Classic,” said Ed Rosen, general manager of Repole Stable.

“The time off since the Travers has done him well and we’re all very pleased with how he is heading into the race.

City of Troy is standing in Fierceness' way
City of Troy is standing in Fierceness’ way (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I think he is America’s best hope and people are narrowing it down to three, the Japanese horse Forever Young, City Of Troy representing Europe and then there’s Fierceness representing America. They seem to be the big three.

“Everyone had kind of questioned Fierceness’ form, but I think now he has proven himself and has put together two very good races and we are passed that. We’re counting on him to produce his best form.

“I think it’s very exciting to have a horse that was a two-year-old champion with the possibility of being a three-year-old champion and winning the Classic, that would certainly be a tremendous accomplishment.”

Also representing the Repole colours in California are juvenile pair Mentee and Tenacious Leader who both head for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and will face off against the likes of Andrew Balding’s New Century and Charlie Appleby’s pair Al Qudra and Aomori City.

A brother to Fierceness, Mentee is another to carry American hopes at Del Mar, heading into the one-mile event having stylishly won the Grade Three Futurity Stakes earlier this month.

“We will be represented by Tenacious Leader and Mentee who is Fierceness’ full-brother,” continued Rosen.

“We have an operation where we look forward year after year to being able to compete at this level so to have two-year-olds competing at the Breeders’ Cup is gratifying and exciting.”



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City Of Troy can be toast of Del Mar, says Jamie Osborne

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It is 10 years since Toast Of New York narrowly failed to hunt down Bayern for Breeders’ Cup Classic glory. But his trainer Jamie Osborne is enthusiastic about City Of Troy’s chances of ending the losing run of Europeans in the dirt showpiece.

John Gosden’s 2008 hero Raven’s Pass is the last to cross the Atlantic and bring home the feature prize of the Breeders’ Cup meeting, although that was on a synthetic track rather than dirt. Not since Andre Fabre’s Arcangues struck at 133-1 in 1993 has a European won the race on its traditional surface – but Toast Of New York come so close when agonisingly held by Bob Baffert’s charge at Santa Anita in 2014.

And while Osborne’s trip to California ended in despair on the night, one prolonged by a stewards’ inquiry that could have seen Bayern disqualified, he feels it could be ecstasy for City Of Troy’s trainer Aidan O’Brien at Del Mar.

Having watched the son of Justify dominate proceedings from the front at York in the Juddmonte International – when breaking the 10-furlong track record – the Lambourn handler is confident City Of Troy has what it takes to achieve what Toast Of New York nearly did.

“It’s a different style of racing, but you just have to have cruising speed and what we saw at York from City Of Troy, he has that in spades,” explained Osborne.

“Toast could never have done what City Of Troy has done but if they have one thing in common, they can both get into stride relatively quickly and have the ability to cruise at a pace others find hard and then just sustain that gallop.

“The only thing that is stopping this horse being odds-on is the uncertainty about the surface. If this was a race on his ‘home’ surface what price would he be? It will be great to watch and I think there is every chance he will do just fine.”

Like City Of Troy, Toast Of New York used Southwell to prepare for the Breeders' Cup
Like City Of Troy, Toast Of New York used Southwell to prepare for the Breeders’ Cup (Simon Cooper/PA)

Toast Of New York and City Of Troy will have arrived at the Breeders’ Cup via very different journeys, albeit both visited Southwell for a workout in preparation for their big day.

Osborne’s star pupil campaigned Stateside with the Classic in mind once hinting at his dirt capabilities in the UAE Derby, while the surface is the last frontier City Of Troy has to conquer having dominated the European middle-distance scene on turf.

If he was to achieve the ultimate ending to his stellar career he would of course become O’Brien’s first winner of the $7million feature.

Osborne has full faith in the team behind this year’s Derby winner at Epsom and feels he could just simply be a special horse about to pull off a special performance.

“I think City Of Troy could be just better than the rest and he’s trained by a man and team who knows how to win this race. They might not have won it before, but they know how to win and what it takes to do it.

“There will be no stone unturned and I’m almost certain Ryan (Moore) is going to jump out and go forward and I can really see this horse almost making all. He’s definitely got enough pace, I would say, and if he is not making it he’s only going to have one or two in front of him.

“Ryan will be able to manoeuvrer him a little bit so he won’t be in a sand storm (kickback) and I think it could be brilliant.

City Of Troy enjoyed his day out at Southwell
City Of Troy enjoyed his day out at Southwell (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It would be a fantastic thing to do to go and win a Derby and then go and win a Classic – we won a UAE Derby and nearly did it, which is not quite the same!

“Aidan has won virtually everything and it would be brilliant if he could also win this. It’s brave, you can understand why they are doing it and I would love to see them go and win it and I think it is very possible.”

City Of Troy may be about to create history, but for Osborne there will always be slight disbelief about his own Classic adventure with Toast Of New York – a horse that took his team across the globe and remains a big part of everyone’s hearts.

The Classic was a step into the unknown for the horse who had graduated from Wolverhampton to Santa Anita, but he provided connections memories of a lifetime and almost provided a blockbuster ending to his fairytale rise to stardom in the shadows of the Hollywood mountains.

“When you think about it now, you still can’t quite believe it nearly happened and we’ve had a few years now without a horse of his quality,” continued Osborne.

“It was frustrating we didn’t win, but of course I would have taken that result beforehand. We were heading into the unknown because when he ran in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar it was then on Polytrack so this was his first run on dirt.

Aidan O’Brien will have left no stone unturned heading to Del Mar
Aidan O’Brien will have left no stone unturned heading to Del Mar (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We always felt he had the style to suit the dirt and he had the physique of a dirt horse, he had big hips and very strong behind and galloped in that manner so there was an element of hope and we took the chance. It went really well, just annoying to be beaten.”

Owned by Michael Buckley, now of Constitution Hill fame, the son of Thewayyouare – brilliantly ridden by Jamie Spencer – had almost shocked America’s best on that night of November 2 2014, but for Osborne it was relief took over in the initial aftermath.

A decade on Toast Of New York’s handler can also look back with pride, albeit with a few ‘what ifs’ on an achievement few from British shores have been able to match.

He said: “Turning in there was initially just a huge sense of relief that we hadn’t done anything foolish and haven’t fallen out the back of the television and been a complete flop. It was satisfying he ran so well and a relief we hadn’t made a duff move, but also slightly annoying.

Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore are California dreaming with Derby hero City Of Troy
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore are California dreaming with Derby hero City Of Troy (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“We turned in with a chance and I seem to remember from turning in to the line seemed to take for ages. All sorts of things went through your mind and there was just a few strides there in the final furlong where you were thinking to yourself ‘this could actually happen, he’s going to get up’.

“It’s one of those things and with any race that is decided by an inch or so, you can always think if we had done that differently or if this or that happened, that inch may have been in our favour. That’s always the case in tight races and if you had run that race 10 times maybe we would have won it three times. Who knows.

“That year 2014, he only ran four times, but he won a UAE Derby, finished second in a Pacific Classic and then finished second in a Breeders’ Cup Classic. You would have taken that at the beginning of the year.”



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Loughnane relishing Soprano Breeders’ Cup chance

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Billy Loughnane believes Soprano’s recent American outing should have her primed for the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.

The three-year-old has been a star performer for Loughnane this term, winning the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot for the young rider and finishing a creditable third in the Group One Matron Stakes on her penultimate run.

Trainer George Boughey then opted to send Soprano for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland and while she ultimately proved no match for the six-length winner She Feels Pretty, Loughnane felt the experience will help his filly.

He said: “I’m looking forward to getting out there, she’s in good shape so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“Soprano has been a star for us this season, so consistent.

“She ran very well out there in the QEII which will hopefully set her in good stead.”

Loughnane will be making his Breeders’ Cup debut aboard the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned Soprano and would relish any further opportunities at the high-profile fixture, should they come his way.

He added: “I’m not sure if I’ve got anything else confirmed as yet.”



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Gosden opts for Breeders’ Cup Turf for Emily Upjohn – with Dettori booked

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John Gosden has announced Frankie Dettori will ride Emily Upjohn at the Breeders’ Cup and that the mare will take on the boys in the Turf.

While the fact Gosden and Dettori teaming up again comes as little surprise given the Italian’s Breeders’ Cup record, Emily Upjohn switching targets has caused a ripple in the ante-post markets.

The Filly & Mare Turf was named as first preference for the five-year-old following the pre-entries earlier this week, but as Del Mar is notoriously a sharp turf track with a short straight, Gosden has decided to go for the longer option.

“It’s very simple, she is going to run in the Turf, Frankie is based in America, he’s ridden Del Mar hundreds of times, so to that extent it is very clear he will be riding the filly, he knows the filly and he knows the track,” Gosden told the Nick Luck Daily podcast.

Frankie Dettori has enjoyed some good days on Emily Upjohn
Frankie Dettori has enjoyed some good days on Emily Upjohn (Steve Paston/PA)

“Kieran (Shoemark) knows the filly, but has never really ridden much in America and certainly hasn’t ridden at Del Mar.

“You’ve got to remember about this track that it is built inside the old main Jimmy Durante turf course, it is the tightest and certainly has the shortest straight of any course I ever knew in America.

“When you straighten up you only have just over a furlong to run. It’s all about tactical position on a turning track, it’s not exactly a place you want to go unless you are fully aware of how it works and Kieran is fully understanding of that.

“We’re leaning towards the Turf because it’s a longer run to the first bend and she’s better at a mile and a half on the track.”



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Gosden playing waiting game with Emily Upjohn

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John Gosden is keeping his options open ahead of Emily Upjohn’s outing at the Breeders’ Cup next week.

The versatile five-year-old has enjoyed Group One success at both 10 furlongs and a mile and a half and featured among the pre-entries for both the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the longer Breeders’ Cup Turf against the colts and geldings at Del Mar.

Emily Upjohn is Paddy Power’s 5-2 favourite for the mile-and-a-quarter race against her own sex having chased home Arc heroine Bluestocking and ParisLongchamp runner-up Aventure in the Prix Vermeille when last seen.

However, Gosden, who trains the daughter of Sea The Stars in conjunction with son Thady, is content to remain in both races as long as possible before pinning his colours to a particular mast.

Emily Upjohn (left) has locked horns with Bluestocking on a couple of occasions this term
Emily Upjohn (left) has locked horns with Bluestocking on a couple of occasions this term (Damien Eagers/PA)

Gosden said: “She ran very well, third in the Prix Vermeille the other day and obviously the winner won the Arc, so that’s rock-solid form and again, she was second to the same filly in Ireland in the Pretty Polly, so she’s run very solidly.

“We might look at the Turf on Monday – you’re allowed to double enter and when you double enter, you look at the races and see what you think so there’s a possibility.

“She’s run against the colts before, the starting stalls are at the beginning of the back stretch rather than the furlong, you’ve got more of a run down the back, so that’s an advantage as well.

“The draw is very important at Del Mar – if you start getting high draws, and double numbers, things start getting quite complicated.”

One horse definitely going for the Turf is the Brian Meehan-trained Jayarebe. The Zoffany colt has been a real star for his Manton yard, being out of the first three just once in seven career starts.

His efforts this year have included wins in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and most recently the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend. Sandwiched in between those runs was a fine effort against Economics at Deauville.

Should he come out on top in California, he would be a third winner of the race for Meehan, after Red Rocks (2006) and Dangerous Midge (2010).

“We’re delighted with Jayarebe – he’s been in great form since winning in France. He works tomorrow (Friday) and flies out early Saturday morning. Sean Levey will ride him,” said Meehan.

“The form of the Prix Dollar has really been boosted and we’re delighted with him heading into the Breeders’ Cup.

“We’ve been fortunate to have great success at the Breeders’ Cup in the past and we’re looking forward to it.”

He added: “We believe the mile-and-a-half trip in America will suit him perfectly. It’s brilliant to have Sean on board. He knows the colt very well and he’s riding so well at the moment.”



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Big hopes of Breeders’ Cup double for Evs

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When conquering America 12 months ago, Big Evs had already assured his place in the affections of his connections. But now he will attempt to cement his own legacy when he returns to California for the sequel to his Breeders’ Cup story.

Trained by Barnsley-born Mick Appleby, the Big Evs journey is one already fitting of the silver screen.

The son of Blue Point broke the Rutland handler’s Royal Ascot hoodoo during an almost flawless juvenile campaign, before rubber-stamping his star status with his blockbuster Breeders’ Cup success at Santa Anita in the shadows of the San Gabriel mountains.

Big Evs with trainer Mick Appleby
Big Evs with trainer Mick Appleby (Joe Giddens/PA)

For a man of humble beginnings, considered as an all-weather specialist, that Juvenile Turf Sprint success was not only a first victory at the highest level for Appleby, but a triumph that propelled his Langham training operation into the limelight.

The colt is owned by East Yorkshire-based Paul and Rachael Teasdale under their RP Racing banner and is certainly a favourite at the Appleby yard.

“He’s a once in a lifetime horse and a lot of trainers dream of having a horse like this,” said Appleby.

“All credit has to go to Paul for bringing horses to us and putting his faith in us.

“You have to savour days like last year because they are far and few between.”

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

Last year’s Breeders’ Cup experience was also a step into the unknown for the Teasdales, who took the brave decision to turn down eye-watering offers for the horse named after friend Paul Evans – who died of lung cancer in 2022 – in favour of continuing the Big Evs journey with Appleby.

It was a call that resulted in memories of a lifetime for all concerned, as the youngster who carries the colours of his beloved Crystal Palace proved far too good for the best juveniles in the world.

“He had an amazing season at two, culminating at the Breeders’ Cup which was just incredible and there was a lot of temptation to retire him last year. We had some huge offers to retire him, but we really wanted him to have a three-year-old career,” explained Paul Teasdale.

“We got there (to America) late, we only got there on Thursday and his race was on Friday. We arrived about an hour before the Breeders’ Cup launch party – they have a cocktail party on the night.

“When we went on Friday it was a brand new experience, we didn’t know what to expect. They looked after us enormously well, they are great people and very friendly, but it was slightly overwhelming at times and it took us a while to settle in.

“I guess we should have expected him to win, but we never expected anything like that. He travelled over there well, took all the proceedings well and then just acquitted himself in a fantastic way.

“Turning for home there was only one horse in the race and (jockey) Tom Marquand’s view was he just wasn’t getting beat and we were all delighted with him.”

Kept in training at three, the plan has always been for Big Evs to bring the curtain down on his racing career back in California and attempt to repeat the feat achieved by Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal, who claimed juvenile honours at Keeneland in 2020 before downing his elders 12 months later at Del Mar.

Golden Pal was famed for his rapid gate speed and sustained acceleration, and Appleby is confident his once in a lifetime performer shares the same characteristics ahead of his swansong.

Big Evs galloped at Southwell on Thursday
Big Evs enjoyed a pre-Breeders’ Cup gallop at Southwell (Adam Morgan/PA)

“He’s so quick and he’s not the biggest, so he can nip round that bend and with his natural speed, America just seems to suit him,” explained Appleby.

“It will be nice to go back to America and it would be great if he could win.

“We’re not going there under any illusions it will be easy, but as long as he runs his race and is thereabouts, we’ll be happy. If he doesn’t win, he doesn’t win, but we’re going there with every chance.”

For Teasdale, there might never be another Big Evs, but he can also look forward to watching the up-and-coming Big Mojo search for sprinting stardom in the San Diego suburbs.

That only really serves as the appetiser before the main event though, and nothing would give him more joy than seeing the ‘people’s horse’ sail off to stud as a Breeders’ Cup great.

Big Evs at Mick Appleby's Rutland stables
Big Evs at Mick Appleby’s Rutland stables (Joe Giddens/PA)

“He’s absolutely a horse of a lifetime for us and we’ve had a fantastic run of success and he means the world to us,” added Teasdale.

“It would mean everything for him to go back there and win again. It would be a fantastic way for him to sign off and say ‘look who I am and how good I am’.

“I think he is a very-well followed horse and someone described him to me as being the ‘people’s horse’. Everyone always asks about him and it would be great and synonymous with how he’s been in his career to just finish off in style.

“He’s proved everyone wrong and has trained on really well this year. He won a nice Group Two at Goodwood, was third in the King Charles at Royal Ascot and we look forward to going back to the Breeders’ Cup, which will hopefully suit him.”



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‘He’s a big player’ – Appleby looking forward to Rebel’s Romance

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Returning champion Rebel’s Romance and the “very dangerous” Notable Speech are set to lead Charlie Appleby’s small but highly select team into battle at the Breeders’ Cup next week.

Globetrotting star Rebel’s Romance will be looking to regain the Breeders’ Cup Turf title he lifted in 2022 off the back another fine campaign which has seen him win Group One prizes in Dubai, Hong Kong and Germany, as well as finish third in the King George at Ascot.

Appleby believes the six-year-old will return to California as a “big player” on Saturday week.

Charlie Appleby is looking forward to the Breeders' Cup
Charlie Appleby is looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Rebel’s Romance is an international star, as we know. He’s been rock solid all year, even in his defeat at Ascot he went down with a lot of credit,” said Appleby at Newmarket on Wednesday.

“We purposely gave him a little bit of a break. We toyed with the idea of going to America, but we decided to stay a little bit closer to home and go to Germany for a race he’d won before and he spring-boarded from that into a Breeders’ Cup win.

“We all know the draw is important around Del Mar or Santa Anita, but over a mile and a half you’re a little bit more relaxed about it because you’re able to ride your race over that trip.

“If he goes there and ticks all the boxes whilst he’s there, he’s a big player.”

Notable Speech goes for the Breeders’ Cup Mile with a point to prove, having twice disappointed since his brilliant 2000 Guineas victory in May, which was preceded by three victories on the Polytrack at Kempton Park.

The Dubawi colt was well beaten in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp, but did win the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in between and Appleby – who has won the last three runnings of the Mile – is hopeful he will show his true colours at Del Mar.

He added: “With Notable Speech, his challenge is going to be the travelling and the week there. For a horse that as soon as you pull him out of his stable and he’s as good as gold and you’d think he was a pony leading round, he challenges himself a little bit.

“What we did learn and what we were very happy with was what we saw at Longchamp. We learned he travels and settled in well and doesn’t handle soft ground, so it was always going to be straight to the Breeders’ Cup after that.

“If he gets a good draw and has a good week there, he’s going to be very dangerous because it’s something everyone has had on their minds since Kempton to be honest with you, before the Guineas.”

Aomori City winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood
Aomori City winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The Moulton Paddocks handler plans to be fire a twin assault at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, with Al Qudra set to be joined by stablemate Aomori City, while he will also saddle two runners in the Filly & Mare Turf.

Of the juvenile pair, Appleby said: “I genuinely can’t split them on what they’ve achieved on the racecourse and it could come down to the draw.

“From William’s (Buick) point of view, and we’ve spoken in depth over the few days, it’s a hard one for him. He could go and pick either horse and get drawn 14, or if you’re lucky and get drawn six you’ve got a chance.

“Looking at the field I think that’s how it’s going to play out, I don’t think there’s a standout horse in the race. Both have got plenty of experience and one has obviously got experience over there.

“Cinderella’s Dream and Beautiful Love are in the Filly & Mare. Both have got experience over there now, Cinderella’s Dream has a higher profile being a Grade One winner out there and a Grade Two winner on her last start. I feel she’ll be a live player.

“The other filly will see the trip out well and deserves to be in the line-up after what she has achieved out there. She’s a Grade Three winner and you could probably say she was unlucky on her last start.”

Appleby’s squad for the two-day fixture is completed by Star Of Mystery in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

He added: “Star Of Mystery is rock solid. She was just touched off the other day and was probably a bit unlucky, but I was relaxed watching it as it was very much a pipe-opener ahead of the Breeders’ Cup.

“She’s small, she’s quick and has experience over there now. It’s always going to be tougher taking on the colts and the older horses, but she’s shown her worth by running creditably in the Al Quoz and doing what she’s done in America and deserves to be there.”



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Anshoda to have the assistance of Rosario at Del Mar

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Hall of Fame rider Joel Rosario will link up with David Loughnane’s Anshoda when she goes for Breeders’ Cup glory at Del Mar early next month.

The daughter of Inns Of Court was acquired by Team Valor and Gary Barber after confirming the promise of her shock debut victory at Lingfield by finishing second in the Star Stakes at Sandown.

She then claimed Goodwood’s Group Three Prestige Stakes on her first start for her new owners and although disappointing at Doncaster in the May Hill, connections feel there are valid excuses for that display on Town Moor and Anshoda remains on course to run Stateside on November 1.

She is set to be Team Valor and Barber’s only runner at the end-of-season spectacular and they have plumped for the experienced Rosario – a man with multiple Breeders’ Cup victories to his name – to do the steering in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

“We have one runner in Anshoda and it’s going to be a very competitive race,” said Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, when discussing his Breeders’ Cup plans.

“She ran great on soft at Goodwood and she has run well on good to firm as well, but I don’t know what to expect, to tell the truth.

Jockey Joel Rosario has enjoyed a decorated career in the saddle
Jockey Joel Rosario has enjoyed a decorated career in the saddle (Steve Parsons/PA)

“We’ve got Joel Rosario to ride her, which will be a plus, and I think she’s a really gutsy filly.”

He went on: “The last race at Doncaster, she wound up on the lead, as no one else wanted it, and she doesn’t want to race like that.

“She’s a filly with a turn of foot and wants to race in the middle or towards the back and come with a big run – and last time it just didn’t work out at all like we thought.

“A lot will depend on the draw and how she handles the first turn. In America, we have lots of tracks we call bullrings and Del Mar, going a mile on turf, is like a bullring.”



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Century seeking to break New ground for Balding

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New Century is all set to bid for glory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar early next month.

Already a Grade One winner in Canada where he landed the Summer Stakes at Woodbine, the Kameko colt is aiming to break new ground for his trainer.

So far Andrew Balding has not sent out a winner at the Breeders’ Cup, but he feels New Century gives him a great chance.

“He’s got a great constitution and has taken everything in his stride. From travelling to Canada and winning, to preparing now for the Breeders’ Cup. He’s been flying at home since he arrived back from Canada,” said Balding.

While he may be impressing connections at home now, that has not always been the case.

“When he first came into training, I wasn’t wowed by him until his fifth or sixth piece of work. He’s a horse that learns and improves, and he’s turned into a fantastic competitor,” Balding said.

“It’s probably not the ideal track for him, but this is the Breeders’ Cup – a $1million Grade One – and we’re going for it. We’ll need a bit of luck with the draw, but he’s taken international travel in his stride.”

His jockey Oisin Murphy is also looking forward to it and aiming to add to his sole victory at the meeting on Marche Lorraine in 2021.

“New Century is compact and has a great mind,” said Murphy. “He’s not as big as his sire Kameko, but his mentality is spot on. He’s improving with every run this season. It’s great to have a leading chance and I hope he can give me my second Breeders’ Cup victory.”



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Bradsell to sign off after Breeders’ Cup bid

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Hollie Doyle hailed the “unreal” Bradsell after news he is to bow out following his run at the Breeders’ Cup to commence stallion duties at the National Stud in Newmarket.

Trained by Archie Watson, Doyle has been in the saddle for all but one of Bradell’s career outings, aboard the son of Tasleet for both of his Royal Ascot victories and his phenomenal Nunthorpe Stakes performance earlier this season.

Owned by Victorious Racing, Bradsell has registered big-race wins in all three of his seasons in training, scooping the Coventry Stakes as a juvenile before returned to the Royal meeting 12 months later to edge out John Quinn’s Highfield Princess and claim the King’s Stand Stakes.

Bradsell after winning at the Curragh
Bradsell after winning at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

An injury suffered earlier in the year when preparing for a valuable sprint assignment in Dubai threatened to curtail the career of the star sprinter, but he was been expertly nurtured back to his very best by Watson and his team, proving better than ever once returning this summer.

An impressive comeback victory in France teed up his Nunthorpe tilt, where he blitzed the opposition with a devastating display on the Knavesmire before marching on to the Curragh to secure further Group One honours in the Flying Five Stakes.

“He’s been an unreal horse and he’s won races like the Coventry, King’s Stand an Nunthorpe, he’s just been unreal,” said Doyle.

“It was a great training performance from Archie and what he has done this year has been a complete bonus.

“It will be sad to see him go, but he owes no one anything and I hope he has a fantastic career as a stallion.”

Bradsell narrowly missed out on a Group One hat-trick when second in the Prix de l’Abbaye earlier this month and the four-year-old is scheduled to make the final start of his career at Del Mar early next month in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Watson said: “Bradsell has so much speed, so much class and is so tough. He is a pleasure to do anything with and is just so good over five (furlongs). If he puts an ounce of that into his stock, I’m looking forward to training them.”

Bradsell winning at Royal Ascot
Bradsell winning at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Victorious Racing, added: “Bradsell has been an exceptional flagbearer for Shaikh Nasser, winning every top sprint race and showing his incredible toughness, tenacity and sheer will to win. The Shaikh is looking forward to supporting him with mares at stud and in the sales ring in the future.”

Bradsell will join the likes of former champion stayer Stradivarius and Time Test at the National Stud, who are looking forward to welcoming their new arrival.

National Stud CEO Anna Kerr said: “We are delighted to welcome Bradsell to the National Stud and stand him in partnership with Shaikh Nasser’s Victorious Racing.

“He is the standout sprinter of recent years with a great physical. We are looking forward to presenting him to breeders at the December sales.”



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Donnacha O’Brien has faith in a famous family Breeders’ Cup double

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Donnacha O’Brien is confident there will be plenty for his family to cheer at Del Mar when Porta Fortuna bids to break his own Breeders’ Cup duck and City Of Troy attempts to give his father Aidan a historic first success in the Classic.

The 26-year-old never found the scoresheet at the Stateside showpiece as a jockey, but came close to glory as a trainer at Santa Anita 12 months ago when Porta Fortuna rattled the crossbar in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

She has since dominated against her own sex at a mile in Britain and Ireland and after winning her third Group One of the campaign in the Matron Stakes last month, the daughter of Caravaggio is poised to board the plane once more for another trans-Atlantic mission.

Porta Fortuna will be competing against colts and geldings for the first time in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, but her handler is confident she has all the attributes to thrive in an all-star field that could include Charlie Appleby’s 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech and Christopher Head’s Ramatuelle.

Trainer Donnacha O’Brien with Porta Fortuna
Trainer Donnacha O’Brien with Porta Fortuna (Healy Racing/PA Wire)

“All is on course and she has a few more bits of work to go, but all is going well so far and we’re on track,” said O’Brien.

“It’s going to be a very good race and there is no doubt about it, it is probably going to be the strongest field she has ever faced. She’s a filly who is progressing with every run and she’s enjoyed a super season, so I think she has deserved a crack against the boys and we will see what she can do.

“She ran a cracker at the Breeders’ Cup last year, she’s the kind of filly that’s very tactically versatile in terms of European racing, but it is also a big advantage when you go to America.

“It means you can break on terms and get a decent position if you get a good draw, which is obviously going to be very important. I’m looking forward to getting her back over there.”

Porta Fortuna has been ridden in all but one of her four starts this term by Tom Marquand, who looks set to retain the ride in California.

Ryan Moore was in the plate when the three-year-old tasted Falmouth Stakes glory, but Marquand rode at Royal Ascot in the Coronation Stakes and at Leopardstown, leaving him with another live contender in America alongside last year’s Juvenile Turf Sprint champion Big Evs.

Jockey Tom Marquand steered Porta Fortuna to victory at Royal Ascot
Jockey Tom Marquand steered Porta Fortuna to victory at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

“I think Tom Marquand will ride her,” continued O’Brien. “He’s going to be over there for Big Evs and a couple of other horses and he obviously rode a Breeders’ Cup winner last year. He knows her very well and I’m not sure if it’s 100 per cent confirmed, but it’s looking like it will be Tom.”

Not only will O’Brien be saddling Porta Fortuna in the San Diego suburbs, he will be firmly in City Of Troy’s corner as his father’s latest Classic contender tries to end his all-conquering career in style.

Despite going close with the likes of Giant’s Causeway and Henrythenavigator in the 10-furlong event, the dirt showpiece has so far eluded the master of Ballydoyle.

However, his son believes City Of Troy represents his father’s best chance of Classic success in some time and is backing the son of Justify to showcase his supreme ability in America.

City Of Troy will end his career in Del Mar
City Of Troy will end his career in Del Mar (Adam Davy/PA)

“I think it’s very hard to predict what a horse will do on dirt, but in my opinion it is the biggest chance he has had in a long time,” added O’Brien.

“He’s a horse that looks like he has the right attributes – he has early pace and is able to sustain a strong gallop, which you have to be able to do in America.

“I think draw and pace and just how the race works out for him will be very important, but I think if he could just get comfortable in the first few furlongs, I fancy him to go and win it.

“You will know after the first half-mile how it is going to go, but I think he is a best chance he will have had in a long time.”



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Soprano heading to Del Mar for Breeders’ Cup challenge

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Soprano is to stay in America for a shot at the Breeders’ Cup, where she will step up in trip again for the Filly & Mare Turf.

Trainer George Boughey’s brave decision to send her to Keeneland for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup was certainly worthwhile as she finished a meritorious second, albeit beaten six lengths by impressive winner She Feels Pretty.

That was over nine furlongs, having finished off strongly over a mile when third in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Now she will run over the best part of a mile and a half at the Breeders’ Cup.

“We were thrilled with her and she’s still learning really, she didn’t take the last bend quite as she might have done,” said Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“She’s run on really well, the winner had got away and looked an exceptional animal on the day. We were just thrilled to bits and the plan is to keep her in America and aim her at the Filly & Mare.

“The travelling didn’t bother her, I just think she needs to go further. I suspect her optimum trip is going to be a mile and a quarter in Europe. I know it is a mile and three at Del Mar but it’s a very sharp track and a very easy mile and three, so that’s the plan, which is very exciting.”

Another filly who has done Highclere proud this year is Believing, who has finished in the first four in five Group One sprints this season, unfortunately without winning one.

Believing has been ultra-consistent this season
Believing has been ultra-consistent this season (Niall Carson/PA)

“Believing won’t go to Ascot, she’ll go for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint as she needs a bit more time after the Abbaye,” said Herbert.

“She’s fantastic, she’s doing really well, but I think that is the best option for her and then that will be her last race for Highclere before she goes to the sales in December.

“Her and Bradsell are two fantastic horses, but we know out there she can’t afford to have a flat spot so we might put cheekpieces on her in America, to see if that sharpens her up a little bit more, it is a pretty good track for closers.”

Teenage sensation Billy Loughnane rode Soprano at Keeneland and in victory at Royal Ascot, but as yet no decision has been made who will ride her next month. Plans are, though confirmed for Believing.

“At the moment we don’t know who will ride Soprano, I haven’t had a chance to talk to George yet, but we’ve got Ryan (Moore) booked for Believing, he’s ridden her before and he’ll be out there,” said Herbert.



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