Final European contingent arrived Monday night; Golden Horn visits Keeneland training track on Tuesday

Edited Press Release

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Gleneagles, Europe’s sole challenger for this year’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, arrived at the Keeneland quarantine barn on Monday night shortly after 9:45 (ET), along with his six other Ballydoyle stable companions Alice Springs (Juvenile Fillies Turf), Found (Longines Turf), Hit It a Bomb (Juvenile Turf), Shogun (Juvenile Turf), War Envoy (Las Vegas Dirt Mile) and Waterloo Bridge (Sentient Jet Juvenile).

Also in the consignment from Ireland was the David Wachman-trained Legatissimo (Filly & Mare Turf). They are not be expected to clear quarantine until Wednesday, and are expected to be seen out on the Keeneland track for the first time Thursday morning.

All the other European contenders saw the Keeneland track for the first time Tuesday morning, including the John Gosden-trained Golden Horn, who with his stable companion Cymric (Juvenile Turf) and a pony. Both horses did a steady jog of the training track before coming back to the barn. Travelling head lad Barry O’Dowd has charge of the pair, ahead of Gosden’s anticipated arrival at Keeneland on Wednesday night.

“The trip over was uneventful,” O’Dowd said. “They have both settled in well. They just had light exercise today and will do much the same tomorrow. The trainer will decide if they will do any more later in the week, when he gets here.”

On hand to see his mount (Golden Horn) in the Turf at exercise was Frankie Dettori, who jetted in from England on Monday night, and was keen to get a feel of the surroundings at Keeneland. He did this a half an hour later, when he was legged up on the Richard Hannon-trained Illuminate (Juvenile Fillies Turf). The daughter of Zoffany walked half a circuit training track before breaking into a gentle canter for one circuit.

Dettori said afterward, “I have come out earlier than usual to get a feel of Breeders’ Cup week. I have got a nice book of rides, so we’ll see what happens. Obviously Golden Horn is the big one, but I ride a lot with chances, and to win any Breeders’ Cup race is huge.”

All the European contenders for the Filly & Mare Turf also had some light exercise this morning. The Ralph Beckett-trained Secret Gesture, who drew post 12 in Saturday’s race, trotted a couple of circuits of the main track. The French representatives Miss France and Queen’s Jewel both stretched their legs on the training track with the latter of the two doing the slightly stronger canter at the finish.

Bawina, trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, was the last filly to leave the quarantine barn. The daughter of Dubawi jogged a circuit of the main track with stable companion Impassable (Mile), before getting acquainted with the paddock, and then returning home.

Karakontie, who will be bidding to make it two wins in a row in the Breeders’ Cup Mile for trainer Jonathan Pease and jockey Stephane Pasquier, went out on his own with a pony and did a steady canter of one circuit of the training track before coming back to the barn.

The other Mile contenders, Esoterique, Make Believe, Mondialiste and Time Test also familiarized themselves with their new surroundings, stretching their legs with a steady trot around the training track.

Golden Horn photo courtesy of Darley Stallions via Twitter

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