Series stars on tour: Breeders’ Cup round-up

Found gets the better of Golden Horn in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland. Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Undoubtedly, the star of the show at Keeneland was the utterly brilliant performance of Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, but a few Series stars that made the trip over to the US did shine.

Here, we take a look at who realised their American dream.

Friday

Heading into the Breeders’ Cup meeting, Europe had a number of fancied contenders for the big races. In particular, Ireland’s Aidan O’Brien sent runners with real chances on the opening day.

Despite Richard Hannon’s Illuminate failing to land a blow in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, O’Brien’s £300,000 Tattersalls Millions 2YO Fillies’ Trophy champion Alice Springs put in a very credible performance when finishing second to Catch A Glimpse. She is now regarded as a potential QIPCO 1000 Guineas contender.

However, the Ballydoyle operation did have a winner on the day thanks to a masterful ride by QIPCO British Champions Series jockey Ryan Moore, as Hit It A Bomb defied an outside draw and traffic problems to swoop home late on in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Saturday

American Pharoah stole the show, winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic and becoming a Grand Slam champion, but some of the stars from the Series performed well on the undercard.

QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Gleneagles was unable to get on terms in the Classic and is now likely to be retired to stud, but his stable mate Found did cause an upset.

Up against Champions Series hero Golden Horn in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Found – who finished second to Fascinating Rock in the QIPCO Champion Stakes on British Champions Day – rallied late on to deny the 2015 Investec Derby and Coral-Eclipse winner in his final race.

QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Qatar Nassau Stakes heroine Legatissimo was unlucky not to do better, despite finishing second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly And Mare Turf. Almost unseating rider Ryan Moore when coming out of the stalls, David Wachman’s star did well to get back on terms, but for Stephanie’s Kitten too strong.

It was also an occasion for David O’Meara to arrive at the top table. With Make Believe, Esoterique, Time Test and Karakontie among the European runners in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, it was O’Meara’s international raider Mondialiste that shone brightest. The five-year-old finished second behind home-trained star Tepin.