It really was a year to forget for European horses at the Breeders’ Cup, as many failed to fire over the meeting. In the end there was just one winner from overseas as Iridessa ran out a game winner of the Filly and Mare turf for trainer Joseph O’Brien. This meant he became the youngest trainer to win a race at the meeting, just eight years on from him breaking the record for being the youngest rider to win a race. The victory also meant he joined his father Aidan, Vincent O’Brien and John Oxx as the only other Irish based trainers to have won a Breeders’ Cup race. A remarkable achievement for a trainer at the top of his game.
Wow! I know it probably sounds like autopilot at this stage, but I can’t thank all of the team enough. As well as everyone at home, we have people in America, Australia, France and Italy with runners right now. It’s takes so much work from everyone to make these days happen. pic.twitter.com/7JB4KKjwEl
— Joseph O’Brien (@JosephOBrien2) November 2, 2019
The nearest the Europeans came to another winner was with Daahyeh in the Juvenile Fillies turf. She was very well supported with punters using the PA horse betting offers on the run up to the race but was unable to land the odds. The Roger Varian trained two year old ran a solid race to be beaten just over a length by Sharing, who was a surprise winner of the race at odds of 16/1.
Day one of the Breeders’ Cup was full of several surprises as just one favourite went in across the six main races. This being Four Wheel Drive in the Juvenile turf sprint, when making all and running out an impressive winner. The big shock on the day was Storm The Court landing the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 50/1, with a 28/1 and 40/1 also filling the placed horses.
Day two was a similar story for punters on a very difficult card as numerous short priced favourites failed to land their races. Omaha Beach was sent off the evens favourites for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt mile but could only finish second, beaten 2 3/4 lengths by Spun To Run. Sistercharlie was also sent off odds on for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare turf and many people’s idea of the banker of the meeting. She was unbeaten in six races including the 2018 edition but could only finish in third behind the previously mentioned Iridessa. Finally, Midnight Bisou was also sent off a shade of odds on for the Distaff but could only finish in second behind 9/1 shot Blue Prize.
This gives an indication of the number of surprise results over the two days as Vino Rosso ran out a hugely impressive winner of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Just so everyone knows, @larrycollmus is the absolute freaking best at calling the biggest races in horse racing – amazing @BritneyEurton @BreedersCup #breederscup2019 #VinoRosso pic.twitter.com/eCqY1yluFl
— Allen Donaldson (@AllenDonaldson) November 3, 2019