Breeders' Cup 2024: International raiders under the radar

Runners based outside the U.S. are ubiquitous throughout the Breeders' Cup programs on Friday and Saturday, and virtually all continents where racing is held are represented, if in some instances by expats.

The most serious contenders among the foreign contingent are generally known and will be backed accordingly. But which international raiders might deserve a closer look?

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Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1)

A tendency to start slow and unfamiliarity racing around bend aren't exactly positives entering a five-furlong sprint that will be over in a flash, but #9 Shareholder (12-1) has some qualities. He was precocious enough to win the five-furlong Norfolk (G2) at Royal Ascot second out by a length, which is a rather comfortable margin by the standards of that race. Next appearing in the Prix Morny (G1), he clearly ran below par when an eased last of nine despite being not far behind the winning #7 Whistlejacket, whom he had beaten in the Norfolk, in the wagering.

While the rest of the raiding party from Europe has been on the go all season, Shareholder enters relatively fresh, and an expected scorching pace could work to his benefit if he is able to handle the vagaries of American racing quickly. At the price, he's worth considering for most wagering plans.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1)

Europeans have tended to dominate this race, and #13 Henri Matisse (6-1) appears a touch underrated on the morning line, at least compared to #11 New Century and #4 Al Qudra. Henri Matisse was facing much better company overseas than those two rivals, exchanging wins with Scorthy Champ in the Futurity (G2) and Vincent O'Brien National (G1) while also handing Hotazhell a loss in the Futurity. That colt has since won a key edition of the Beresford (G2) as well as last week's Futurity Trophy (G1).

Henri Matisse didn't run much of a race last time in the Prix Jean Luc-Lagardere (G1) when adding blinkers and racing on the inside over steadily deteriorating ground. The shades come off, and he'll get the faster ground he seemingly desires here. The main concern arguably is post 13, which is not ideal based on the course profile.

Breeders' Cup Turf (G1)

This edition of the Turf came up rather soft by historical standards. For those unable to bite the bullet on likely favorite #11 Rebel's Romance, Japan's #3 Shahryar (10-1) has run enough good races on the international stage to warrant a look.

First or second (this year to Rebel's Romance) in two of the last three editions of the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), Shahryar made a favorable impression in this event last year when finishing a solid third behind Auguste Rodin and Up to the Mark as a 25-1 chance. Sparingly raced since, his summertime prep at Sapporo wasn't so bad, given how he performed in the same race last year, and the return to 1 1/2 miles and this easier lineup are factors in his favor.