Breeders’ Cup emerges as possibility for Havana Anna

Donnacha O’Brien could consider a trip to the Breeders’ Cup with Havana Anna following her narrow defeat in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Impressive in winning maiden and Listed events at Naas during the summer, the daughter of Havana Grey was then beaten a nose by Afjan in the Group Three Prix d’Arenberg in France.

She stepped up to six furlongs for her first start at Group One level on the Rowley Mile and justified market confidence with an excellent effort to fill the runner-up spot behind True Love, trained by Donnacha’s famous father, Aidan.

“She ran a cracker and did everything right. She was outstayed maybe over six furlongs coming up the hill, but I couldn’t be more pleased with her really,” said O’Brien junior.

“I thought the fast track and the good to firm ground would suit her, as she’s a filly with a lot of speed. I was hopeful for a big run, but at the same time if we were offered a place beforehand I’m sure we would have taken it.”

The young trainer won the 2023 Cheveley Park Stakes with Porta Fortuna, who went on to finish a close second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over a mile, before winning three Group Ones at that trip as a three-year-old.

O’Brien is unsure whether Havana Anna possesses the same stamina reserves, however, and if she is to head to California in early November, she is likely to step back in distance rather than up.

He added: “There’s a chance she might go to the Breeders’ Cup for the Juvenile Turf Sprint. She seems in good form afterwards, so that’s a possibility.

“At the minute she looks like she has plenty of speed, but I suppose Porta Fortuna looked like that as well and ended up being a miler, so I wouldn’t rule it out for this filly in the future.

“But I think if we were going to go to the Breeders’ Cup, we’d be going five furlongs rather than a mile.”