European horses can shine now that the star of the show has retired

Published on Saturday 31 October 2009 20:12

CALIFORNIA, here we come. Last year's Breeders' Cup meeting proved that the Golden State's Santa Anita course is the best Cup venue for European horses, and next weekend the event dubbed the world championship of racing returns to the west coast track. A year ago, British, Irish and French-trained horses dominated the Saturday races. Raven's Pass, Muhannak, Goldikova, Conduit and Donativum all won, and some of them will be going back for another crack at the giant purses.

It will be a bit like football's World Cup without Cristiano Ronaldo (or Maradona or Pele for the older reader). The greatest three-year-old colt of all time, Sea The Stars, has retired to stud, and quite rightly so after his Arc victory.

The remaining European hopes will fancy their chances, however, as Santa Anita's synthetic surface is much more to their liking than the dirt surface at other American courses.

With 14 races spread over two days, there is ample opportunity for Aidan O'Brien and Godolphin to prove that both the boys in blue are still the top stables around. St Leger winner Mastery is the latter's best hope of the meeting in the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Marathon, while I expect O'Brien's double Group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle to prove that he is a truly great colt by lifting the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.

The home hopes are always special, however, yet I still think this year could see Europe dominate as never before.

From next weekend, attention will switch jumps racing after the totesport.com November Handicap at Doncaster brings down the curtain on a Flat turf season made unforgettable by Sea The Stars.

It has also been truly memorable for Scots-born trainer Mark Johnston. I cannot believe the lack of praise for his magnificent and unprecedented achievement of training a record 200 winners in a calendar year on the Flat.

Had the trainers' championship been calculated on wins rather than prize money won, Johnston would now be celebrating his seventh championship.

Having annoyed a few member of racing's establishment over the years, I suspect Johnston will never earn the accolades his feats should gain him. But I can tell you this – that won't bother the man a jot. With the sterling support of his wife Deirdre and all the team at Middleham, Johnston just keeps on churning out the winners, and that's all that matters to him. In my book, his new record is the finest sporting achievement of the year by a Scot, and should be recognised as such.

Meanwhile, Deep Purple prevailed in a thrilling finish to the Charlie Hall Chase to give Evan Williams consecutive victories in the Wetherby showpiece.

The result looked unlikely all the way up the straight as dual race winner Ollie Magern, despite being under pressure for most of the last circuit, appeared to be doing enough in front to see off Tamarinbleu, who had tracked him over the final few fences. However, after the last Nigel Twiston-Davies' veteran began to falter and just as David Pipe's Tamarinbleu looked to have gained the day, Paul Moloney came from the clouds to take the spoils on the 9-2 chance.