White Abarrio winning the Breeders' Cup Classic last year© Photo Healy Racing
City Of Troy faces the formidable task of taking on America’s finest at their own game on dirt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but past history shows it is not quite mission impossible.
Ahead of this year’s Del Mar showpiece, we take a look back at other European raiders who have performed with distinction:
Arcangues 1993
Andre Fabre’s charge was the longest-priced winner in Breeders’ Cup history when springing a 133-1 surprise at Santa Anita. The horse had been beaten out of sight back home in France on Arc day, but this time came from way back to master leading US hope Bertrando by two lengths. Jockey Jerry Bailey joked: “I couldn’t understand the instructions the trainer gave me in the paddock and I don’t even know how to pronounce the horse’s name, but sometimes a horse runs best when he is ridden by someone who has never been on him before.”
Giant’s Causeway 2000
Aidan O’Brien’s son of Storm Cat travelled to Churchill Downs on the back of an incredible campaign which had brought five Group One victories and earned him the ‘Iron Horse’ nickname. Mick Kinane looked to be perfectly positioned when stalking Tiznow turning for home and mounted a strong challenge down the stretch, possibly even drawing level at one stage. However, for a change, he came off second best in a titanic tussle as Tiznow found the extra reserves required to get home by a neck.
Sakhee 2001
Tiznow proved Europe’s nemesis again as he shaded Saeed bin Suroor’s runaway Juddmonte International and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner by a nose. Frankie Dettori settled Sakhee in sixth, just behind O’Brien’s Galileo, but made smooth progress around the final bend at Belmont Park to loom up ominously on the outside. He briefly went past Tiznow to hit the front but the latter rallied courageously once more and was ahead when it mattered. The race took place just six weeks after the nearby New York terrorist attacks, with commentator Tom Durkin crying out the iconic line: “Tiznow wins it for America!”
Raven’s Pass 2008
John Gosden’s three-year-old created history at Santa Anita by becoming the first horse trained in Britain to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, although this renewal was run over a controversial synthetic dirt surface. Defending champion Curlin made an early bid for home turning into the straight but Frankie Dettori was always tracking the favourite. Ballydoyle’s Henrythenavigator emerged as a serious threat in the final furlong but Raven’s Pass showed real class to win going away. Dettori was at his brilliant best that day and said: “When I pressed the button I was hoping he would go to the end and he did. What a good racehorse he is.”
Declaration Of War 2013
Fresh from a break after winning the Juddmonte International, the four-year-old Ballydoyle inmate was sent off as the third favourite, with O’Brien’s son Joseph in the saddle. They were handily placed on the heels of the leaders rounding the final turn and Declaration Of War responded well to strong pressure down the stretch. Unfortunately, Mucho Macho Man had seized a decisive advantage and just held on to beat the fast-finishing Will Take Charge by a nose, with the Irish raider a head further back in third at the line.
Toast Of New York 2014
Jamie Osborne’s charge came agonisingly close to doubling Britain’s tally when foiled by the narrowest of margins as Bayern made all the running to score at Santa Anita. Trying dirt for the first time, Jamie Spencer tracked the winner throughout the race and looked to be getting on terms in the final few strides, but the line came just in time for Bayern, who won by a nose. A stewards’ inquiry was quickly called after the race, but the placings remained unaltered. Osborne said: “He has run his heart out and nearly pulled off the impossible.”
