Midday breaks Cecil's duck

Published on Saturday 7 November 2009 00:42

HENRY Cecil filled in a notable gap on his extensive CV by saddling the first Breeders' Cup winner of his career with Midday in the Filly & Mare Turf.

Despite numerous Classic successes and countless Group Ones triumphs, Cecil had not won at America's biggest meeting. All that changed, however, within a handful of spellbinding strides. Given a confident ride by Tom Queally, having his first ever experience of the event, the daughter of Oasis Dream scooted clear inside the home straight.

The 15-8 favourite had a length in hand over the fast-finishing Pure Clan, with last year's winner Forever Together third. Cecil said: "I have always dreaded the Breeders' Cup slightly as I haven't had great success over the years, but to win one lives up to my expectation and thrill."

Rosemary Homeister Jr narrowly in her bid to become only the second female jockey ever to win a Breeders' Cup race. Riding St Leger winner Cloudy's Knight, the 37-year-old American crossed a mere nose behind the Johnny Murtagh-ridden Irish raider Man of Iron in the $500,000 Marathon, which gave Aidan O'Brien his first Breeders' Cup triumph in six years.

Informed Decision denied Ventura back-to-back victories in the Filly & Mare Sprint.