Aiden O'Brien equals record for most wins at Breeders' Cup

Aidan O'Brien equalled the record for most wins at the Breeders' Cup, when Henri Matisse (Ryan Moore 3-1), swept to Juvenile Turf glory. The son of Wootton Bassett had been beaten on his previous two runs but flew home to give Aiden and Ryan their third successive stamp in the contest.

Aiden's staggering seventh win in the Juvenile Turf was his 20th-levelling with legendary US trainer, D Wayne Lukas.

It was another act of Ballydoyle's mastery on the card from Ryan. He overcame significant trouble during Lake Victoria's stunning Juvenile Fillies Turf and was forced wide with Henri Matisse. The big-race juvenile double eased Aiden's nerves ahead of City Of Troy's Breeders' Cup Classic tilt, but Henri Matisse's win gave him extra delight after the horse's torrid time at Longchamp.

"I did the wrong thing putting blinkers on him in France and he got a bad bump early on. He got a little bit of fright there on bad ground," he said. Iron Man Cal took second ahead of Aomori City, who had burst through the gates but was allowed to run.

***

Aidan O'Brien has compared City of Troy's attempt at creating history at Del Mar to a world championship boxing match as he searches for a first success in the £5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Well, the wait is almost over as this four-timer bids to become Aiden's Classic conqueror at the 18th time of asking.

Of his stable star's date with destiny, O'Brien said: "We're very happy with the preparation. We've given him a hard time lately and it's like going into a world championship boxing match. We believe he's bulletproof."  The three-year-old son of Justify, who was last seen landing the Juddmonte International at York in August, has never raced on dirt and will face a number of formidable opponents.

Second-best, Fierceness, brings red-hot form into the race after following his Jim Dandy Stakes success at Saratoga in August. Japanese runner, Forever Young, scored in the Dirt Classic last time, while Sierra Leone and Ushba Tesoro, both hold winning form at the highest level. Let us see if the City of Troy obliges, before heading off into retirement.

Mixto, Segnor Buscador, Pyrenees, Tapit Trice, Newgate, and, Next, are considered by their connections, to maybe topple Mister Troy.

***

The European challengers know what it takes to win the Turf, having been right in the mix severally. Rebel's Romance, Emily Upjohn (Frankie Dettori), Jayarebe, Luxembourg, and Wingspan, make up the European contingent. Shahryar looks like Japan's best chance, finishing third in 2023. Still has to overcome Rebel's Romance.

European runners often have the edge over their US counterparts in turf races, but that seldom transpires in the Sprint. The home team's challenge revolves around Cogburn. He has taken his form up a notch this campaign and pummelled two-time Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes winner, Khaadem, at Keeneland. That performance, and his previous success in the Jaipur Stakes at Santa Anita, gives Cogburn a small buffer over the European contenders.

Could this be the day Believing finally gets her Nirvana? Seldom have we seen such a consistent sprinter, and her last three meetings with Bradsell have resulted in defeats of minuscule margins.

The biggest deficit between the pair in that sequence came in the Flying Five when Believing won her group of nine up the centre, while Bradsell came up the near side. This represents a golden chance for redemption. Star of Mystery has a small squeak.