Up there with the likes of Royal Ascot, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup, the Breeders’ Cup is one of the biggest horse racing events in the world. It’s the richest meeting the sport has to offer, with over $25 million in prize money, and has been a hunting ground for Irish trainers and horses, who have excelled in the horse racing betting odds.
The emerald isle has a rich history of breeding and an affinity for producing world-class thoroughbreds, with numerous elite horses going on to shine at the Breeders’ Cup. That said, let’s take a look at some of the most memorable Irish-trained winners at the prestigious Stateside meeting over the years. (Spoiler alert: They are all trained by Aidan O’Brien).
High Chaparral – Breeders’ Cup Turf
Throwing it back to the beginning of this century, High Chaparral made his mark at the Breeders’ Cup in consecutive years.
The Sadler’s Wells colt rounded off an incredible 2002, which included winning the British and Irish Derbies, with a victory over Anticipation in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Arlington Park.
He returned to defend his crown 12 months later, this time sharing the spoils with Johar in a rare deadhead after the pair couldn’t be split at Santa Anita.
Found – Breeders’ Cup Turf
Another Breeders’ Cup Turf winner trained by O’Brien, Found caused a small upset when she won the prestigious contest in 2015.
Golden Horn had beaten the Coolmore filly twice that season already, and the John Gosden-trained horse was odds-on to do so again at Keeneland.
However, the favourite didn’t make the best of starts and took keen hold under Frankie Dettori. Ryan Moore, meanwhile, was patient on Found and drove the filly home for a victory over Golden Horn.
St Nicholas Abbey – Breeders’ Cup Turf
After winning all of his three starts as a juvenile, St Nicholas Abbey went into his three-year-old season with high expectations.
However, he failed to capitalise on favouritism in the 2000 Guineas and at the Curragh before Group wins at Chester and Epsom.
Three more races without success followed, which didn’t fill many with hope for the Breeders’ Cup turf, but St Nicholas Abbey streaked home under Joseph O’Brien to win clear of his rivals from 5/1.
Order Of Australia – Breeders’ Cup Mile
One of the biggest upsets in Breeders’ Cup Mile history, Order Of Australia shocked Keeneland with a victory in the $1 million Mile from odds of 40/1.
Being by Australia, it seemed this colt’s best form would be over the middle distances, and that appeared to be confirmed with wins over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.
However, after finishing last of nine runners in the International Stakes at the Curragh over one mile and two furlongs, Order Of Australia was dropped down in trip for the Mile and won by a neck.
Wrote, a son of High Chaparral, and Hit It A Bomb are both worth mentioning as winners of the Juvenile Turf in 2011 and 2015, respectively.
