Zenyatta makes Breeders' Cup history

Published on Sunday 8 November 2009 21:33

THE European contingent may have enjoyed yet more Breeders' Cup success at Santa Anita but there was little doubt who the real star of the show was as Zenyatta secured her place in the sport's history books.

No filly or mare had won the Classic in its 25-year history, but John Shirreffs' unbeaten superstar put that record straight with a scintillating last-to-first success.

Zenyatta arrived as winner of each of her 13 starts but she looked to be up against it on her first try against colts and geldings, with half the field still to pass at the top of the straight. She made her rivals look like statues, though, as she forged clear to score by a length from Gio Ponti, with Henry Cecil's Champion Stakes winner Twice Over in third.

Aidan O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle was sent off favourite but emptied quickly on the dash to the wire and was 10th of the 12 finishers.

Zenyatta's win capped a mammoth weekend for Hollywood Park trainer Shirreffs after Life Is Sweet emulated Zenyatta with success in Friday's Ladies' Classic. Shirreffs said: "When she got out and started to come with her big challenge I got excited and when she crossed the finishing line in front it was unbelievable. What a great, great filly. It has been an amazing Breeders' Cup. In my yard Life Is Sweet is a princess, but Zenyatta is a queen."

The British-based team had plenty to cheer about too as the Sir Michael Stoute-trained and Ryan Moore-ridden Conduit successfully defended his title in the Turf. Stoute said: "It's always a big day and these are the world championships. This is a very important race and it's great to see him go and win it twice in a row."

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori teamed up last year to win the Juvenile Turf with Donativum and the pair repeated the trick with Pounced this time. However, Dettori missed out as Ahmed Ajtebi steered Godolphin outsider Vale Of York to a last-gasp victory in the Juvenile.

Goldikova emulated the mighty Miesque as she overcame an unfavourable outside draw to land another Mile victory for French trainer Freddie Head. Drawn 11 of 11, Olivier Peslier bided his time at the back of the field and had to weave through runners in the straight before pulling clear.

Head said: "I was very happy. We were a bit far back but we didn't have any choice and the pace was strong. Olivier said he was always confident during the race and knew he would win turning in.

She is very special and we haven't discussed when she might retire."

On home shores, the curtain came down on the Flat season proper with Gosden's Charm School landing the totesport.com November Handicap at Doncaster.

The winner was given an excellent ride by Jimmy Fortune, who said: "A few times Charm School has looked unlucky, but you have to ride him that way (come late) – they went quick and then panned out and I got a lovely run up the inside, easy ground and a mile and a half are what he wants."

The jumps season is now in top gear and last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo pulled 10 lengths clear under 11st 10lb in the totescoop6 Elite Limited Handicap Hurdle at Wincanton.

The totetentofollow Rising Stars Novices' Chase was supposed to revolve around Nicholls' 4-7 favourite Gullible Gordon but he clipped one on the second circuit and came down, leaving the Grade Two in safe keeping for Red Admiral (7-1).

Ellerslie George (14-1) triumphed in the competitive Badger Ales Trophy but his win was somewhat overshadowed by the return to form of stablemate The Listener in Ireland.

Trainer Nick Mitchell endured a disappointing campaign with the grey last season but he got back on the right track with a clear-cut verdict in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal. Odds-on favourite Notre Pere crashed out five from home to ease the task but Mitchell was nonetheless delighted.

Hercomesthetruth gave Nicholls a second consecutive win in the Ladbrokes.com Chase, holding Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer in the process.

Big Zeb was the star of the show at Navan yesterday as Colm Murphy's classy two-miler ran out a cheeky winner of the Ladbrokes.com Fortria Chase at Navan.

"We'll either go to Sandown (for the Tingle Creek) or for the John Durkan next. We'll see how he comes out of the race," said Murphy.

Noel Meade's Aitmatov landed the Lismullen Hurdle on the same card, the highlight of a treble on the card for the trainer.