Flightline joins the legends with Breeders’ Cup Classic romp

Cover image courtesy of Breeders’ Cup/Eclipse Sportswire

Flightline cements his greatness in Breeders' Cup Classic

The much-hyped Flightline (USA) (Tapit {USA}) did not let his throngs of fans and supporters down on Saturday, cementing his place among some of the greatest horses to ever grace a racecourse with a stunning 7.8l victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland.

After breaking cleanly, the 4-year-old was content to stalk pacesetter Life Is Good (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) through brisk opening fractions. However, once in the stretch, he exploded past his rival and cruised home to defeat long-shot Olympiad (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) with Taiba (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) finishing third.

After Saturday’s victory comparisons were being drawn between Flightline and some of the best the world has seen, including A.P. Indy (USA), Seattle Slew (USA), American Pharoah (USA) and even the greatest of them all; Secretariat (USA) and the entire’s trainer, John Sadler, believed the comparisons were more than justified.

“It was a great win today (Saturday),” Sadler said. “He ran beautifully like we thought he could and it's wonderful when it all works out. This is one of the great horses of all time, and I think he showed that.”

It was announced earlier this year that Flightline will retire to Bill Farish’s Lane’s End Farm at the conclusion of his racing career, but his co-owner, Kosta Hronis, said that no future plans had been made as to whether he heads to the breeding barn immediately or races on for another season.

“The partnership will get together in the next couple of days and discuss it and see how we'll move forward,” Hronis said.

“This is a very special animal. He's brought something special to the industry. We need a hero, a champion, an undefeated horse and that's Flightline. He keeps stepping up and proving himself.”

Bred by Summer Wind Equine, Flightline was purchased by his part-owners West Point Thoroughbreds for a cool US$1 million (AU$1,546,300) at the Fasig-Tipton August Yearling Sale in 2019.

He is out of the Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Feathered (USA) (Indian Charlie {USA}), who has three winners from three to race. That mare is a granddaughter of dual Grade 1 winner Finder’s Fee (USA) (Storm Cat {USA}), who is out of a Grade 1 winner herself. Flightline is the sixth Graded-stakes winner in his first seven generations with only his stakes-placed grandam breaking the streak.

Rebel Romance hands Appleby back-to-back Breeders’ Cup Turf wins

Having saddled Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf 12 months ago, Charlie Appleby was handed his second consecutive victory in the US$4 million (AU$6,185,200) contest courtesy of Rebel’s Romance’s (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) impressive triumph in the Grade 1 on Saturday.

Rebel's Romance hit the front while racing on his incorrect lead with a furlong to travel and came away to score an easy victory. Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ran on strongly for second ahead of War Like Goddess (USA) (English Goddess {USA}), who was not disgraced to finish third.

The win provided James Doyle with his first Breeders’ Cup winner and Appleby was ecstatic to have delivered the jockey this all-important triumph.

“This horse is well travelled, he’s maturing and what he has done on turf has rejuvenated him and full credit for that goes to the team,” said Appleby.

“I’m delighted to give James (Doyle) his first Breeders’ Cup winner – I was confident he would get the job done and it was a great ride to wrap it up.

“I think this horse’s style of running might not lend itself to Dubai and we will stick to turf with him.”

A dual Group 1 winner in Germany, Rebel’s Romance is out of Listed-winning Street Cry (Ire) mare Minidress (GB), who is herself a sister to Grade 3 winner Volcanic Sky (GB).

Rebel’s Romance was the second winner of the day for Darley’s stalwart sire, Dubawi (Ire), following on from the victory of Modern Games (Ire), who won the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile earlier in the afternoon.

Tuesday all heart in Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had been on the hunt for some form since her victory in the G1 Epsom Oaks, but she returned to the winning grove at Keeneland on Saturday, producing an impressive turn of foot to land the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, handing her trainer a first win in the race.

The daughter of Galileo (Ire) had not tasted victory since her win in the Epsom Classic, but she added a second elite-level race to her record when she defeated In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) into second.

“It's incredible for everyone and I'm so delighted for the boys (the Coolmore partners) and everyone else involved,” O’Brien said. “There are so many people who get involved to make this happen.

“She's a filly who won her Oaks when she was barely three (she was born that day in 2019) and we were conscious of that so we let her dally through the rest of the year, but we had our eye on this race.

“She's an amazing filly with an unbelievable pedigree as well; Ryan gave her a stunning ride.”

Bred by Coolmore, the daughter of Galileo is from the best and deepest Coolmore families. She is out of dual Group 1-winning mare, Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). She has proved herself as good a broodmare as she was racehorse, along with Tuesday, she is also the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Group 3 winner Kissed By Angels (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

It has been a lucrative Breeders’ Cup meeting for O’Brien and Coolmore, with Tuesday handing the trainer and connections a third winner of the two-day event.

Modern Games scores again at the Breeders’ Cup

The Charlie Appleby-trained Modern Games added a fourth top-flight win, and second at the Breeders’ Cup, to his record when he dashed home to win the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile under William Buick.

Halfway up the straight, Modern Games kicked in sharply and motored home to defeat Shirl's Speight (USA) (Speightstown {USA}). Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) worked out a nice trip from a double-digit draw to be third.

It was a less dramatic victory than 12 months ago when Modern Games was famously erroneously scratched from the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after breaking through the inside stall. He was then unscratched but ultimately ran for purse money only.

“This horse has so many attributes and with his compact size he is able to go through gaps and is neat enough to get into a position to attack as was the case just now,” said Appleby.

“At the start of the season we had three horses that were similar, Native Trail and Coroebus were heading for the Guineas and this fella went to the French Guineas then the French Derby where he finished third and didn’t quite stay.

“He got nicknamed, the substitute, when he was second to Baaeed in the Sussex but won brilliantly in Canada and then ran a cracker on unsuitable ground at Ascot, but he was always going to be coming here.”

Along with his two victories at the Breeders’ Cup, globetrotting star Modern Games also won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains in France and the G1 Woodbine Mile in Canada.

As if his female family needed further burnishing, Modern Games' year-younger half-sister Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel) was second in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot this past June before going one better in the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. during Newmarket's July meeting.

Curlin sires Grade 1 treble at Breeders’ Cup

Racing has the ability to deliver stories befitting of Hollywood blockbuster movies and on Saturday at the Breeders’ Cup another emotional storyline was written as the Bill Mott-trained Cody’s Wish (USA) landed the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland and he was one of three Grade 1 winners on the day for Hill ‘n’ Dale’s resident sire, Curlin (USA)

The colt was named for 16-year-old Cody Dorman, who met the bay when he was just a foal at Gainsborough as part of Keeneland's Make-a-Wish day. Cody's Wish put his head in the young boy's lap, making an instant connection, and his story has touched many in the racing world. Dorman and his family were on hand all week ready to root his namesake on.

The 4-year-old battled bravely up the straight to beat Cyberknife (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) by 0.2l, while Slow Down Andy (USA) (Nyquist {USA}) was a further 1.8l away in third.

It was a seventh victory for the son of Curlin and his second top-level success and Mott said, “I really think that luck is following this horse, he had a great trip today (Saturday) and Junior (Alvarado, jockey) rode him very well.

“He had a lot of people pulling for him but besides that, he's a very good horse.

“That was very special. There's a big story behind it. Goes to show that the Make A Wish Foundation can make it very special for someone. The performance was awesome. He made a huge run turning for home.”

Elite powers home

Later on in the day, Cody’s Wish’s stablemate, Elite Power (USA), another by Curlin, provided Mott with a fine double when he added a first Grade 1 to his record with a victory in the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland.

Raced by Juddmonte, the 4-year-old colt defeated C Z Rocket (USA) (City Zip {USA}) by 1.3l, while Jackie's Warrior (USA) (Maclean's Music {USA}) was beaten at the Breeders’ Cup for the third year in a row, finishing 0.5l away in third.

A rare yearling purchase by Juddmonte, who paid Lane’s End US$900,000 (AU$1,391,700) for the colt at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2019, Elite Power is out of Grade 2-winning mare Broadway’s Albi (USA) (Vindication {USA}), who is herself as half-sister to Grade 3 winner Golden Lad (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and R Gypsy Gold (USA) (Bernardini {USA}).

In winning the Grade 1, the colt provided Curlin his 20th elite-level winner and he stands for a fee of US$225,000 (AU$348,000).

Malathaat just gets there in time

Curlin’s third elite-level winner of the day was provided by the Todd Pletcher-trained Malathaat (USA), who produced a stunning display to narrowly clinch victory from the jaws of defeat in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, narrowly beating Blue Stripe (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}) by 0.1l. Clairiere (USA) (Curlin {USA}) was the same distance back in third.

Raced by Shadwell, Malathaat, the winner of last year's G1 Kentucky Oaks and the reigning Eclipse Champion 3-Year-Old filly, was twice second behind Clairiere this summer before winning the G1 Personal Ensign S. and G1 Spinster S.

Winning rider John Velazquez thought his filly had been beaten to the wire.

“I thought I got the bob and then I wasn't sure,” Velazquez said. “When you have that much trust from a guy like Todd Pletcher who gives me the opportunity to ride these good horses, it makes it easy when you have to make adjustments during the race.

“Every race she runs, she shows up. She is a tough mare and I will miss her if they retire her.”

Malathaat has now won 10 of 13 starts and Saturday’s win was her sixth at Grade 1 level.

Caravel shocks her rivals in Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione snared his first Breeders’ Cup winner on Friday night and he didn’t waste any time bagging his second at the illustrious meeting as he steered Caravel (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}) to a shock victory in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, her first victory Grade 1 level.

Trained by Brad Cox, the 5-year-old mare's task was made slightly easier when pre-race favourite Golden Pal (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}), who was looking to win the race for the third time, missed the kick, giving his rivals almost 2l. Caravel took full advantage, staying on bravely to beat Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal {USA}), who ran a brilliant race to finish second under Ryan Moore.

Caravel sports the colours of Qatar Racing, who own the filly with Marc Detampel and Madaket Stables LLC and she handed the jockey his second winner at the meeting, adding to his victory in the Wonder Wheel (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Friday.

“In turf sprints, you've got to get away well and Tyler did that. I said if she got her head in front turning for home she'll be tough because that's how she runs. She's very honest and I'm very proud of her,” said Cox.

Qatar Racing's Sheikh Fahad added, “That was a fantastic performance. Thanks to Brad and Tyler, who gave her a fantastic ride. And well done to the whole ownership group.

“It's an unbelievable feeling. We were very confident and she was one of our best hopes for the meet.”

Goodnight Olive lands Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

Having taken out the G1 Ballerina H. in August, Goodnight Olive (USA) (Ghostzapper {USA}) took out her second consecutive Grade 1 when she landed the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on the dirt at Keeneland on Saturday.

The daughter of Ghostzapper (USA) defeated Echo Zulu (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) into second, while Wicked Halo (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) came home in third.

Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the mare is one of 14 Group 1 winners for the Hill ‘n’ Dale resident sire, Ghostzapper (USA).