O’Brien Enjoys the Breeders’ Cup Once Again
Last weekend saw the Breeders’ Cup take place at Keeneland in the US, which has one of the biggest purses in all of racing. American Pharaoh became the first Triple Crown winner to claim victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, giving him a fairy tale ending in his last ever race. The odds-on favourite led from the start here, and came in ahead of the second placed Effinex, a 100/1 shot.
After the race tributes few in for Pharaoh, who will now go to stud after a fantastic record. After landing £1.75 million for his victory, it’s probably the least he deserves.
There was a big win for Irish interests at the meeting, as trainer Aidan O’Brien landed a huge victory with his horse, Found. Favourite Golden Horn had already won the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l’Arc, and it looked like he would be taking the win at the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
But, the shock came when the 4/1 second favourite won, with jockey Ryan Moore producing a great ride to come out on top. Not only was that result impressive for both jockey and the filly, but it was O’Brien’s fifth win in this race. With 10 winners at the Breeders’ Cup, he’s now the third most successful trainer at the meeting, and this win will be up there with his best. Found came close to beating Golden Horn twice this year, and there’s few better ways to get revenge than this.
That win came a day after O’Brien’s Hit A Bomb won the Juvenile Turf, which was also jockeyed by Ryan Moore. That triumph showed that there’s certainly more wins to come in the future for the Irish trainer, and after this, expect to see Hit A Bomb going on to make an impression in the Classics next season.
