Breeders’ Cup: five key British and Irish juvenile runners
By Gavin Beech
Last Updated: Sun 3 Nov 2024
The two-year-olds take centre stage at the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar on Friday.
There are plenty of British and Irish challengers looking to emulate Big Evs and Unquestionable, juveniles who starred for the overseas raiders 12 months ago.
Here are five British and Irish two-year-olds that have what it takes to take top billing. Enjoy all the action live on Racing TV.
Enjoy Breeders' Cup highlights from 2023
LAKE VICTORIA
Race: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Odds: Evens
Gavin Beech
Finished: 1stSP: 4/7
For many, Lake Victoria is the banker of Friday’s juvenile card.
The unbeaten daughter of Frankel showed her class when dropping back to six furlongs in the Cheveley Park, having previously landed the Moyglare Stud Stakes, and she will surely prove very well suited to a two-turn mile on a track like this.
Expect Ryan Moore to sit handy, provided he’s not drawn out wide. It will be a surprise if anything has the class to go with her in the straight.
A second Juvenile Fillies Turf success looks very much on the cards for Aidan O’Brien, who took out this prize in 2022 with Meditate.
NEW CENTURY
Race: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Odds: 5-1
Andrew Balding is still to open his account at the Breeders’ Cup but he’s surely got a big chance with New Century.
New Century is already a Grade One winner overseas, thanks to his emphatic Summer Stakes success at Woodbine, where he looked particularly well suited to a two-turn mile on fast ground.
This will be a tougher assignment, but he’s a colt on the up who has conditions to suit. Another big show looks very much on the cards.
BIG MOJO
Race: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Odds: 5-1.
Twelve months on from the success of Big Evs in the Turf Sprint, the same connections are back for another tilt at the title with Big Mojo.
Mick Appleby’s charge does not quite bring the same star-studded credentials as Big Evs and was beaten a neck by Aesterius in the Flying Childers at Doncaster last time, when he edged left under pressure.
However, it’s hard to believe he’s anything like the finished article after just four starts.
The draw is going to be important but he’s a strong traveller who should be able to lay up handy in a race like this, so it would be no surprise if he were to provide connections with another memorable success.
AESTERIUS
Race: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Odds: 5-1.
Aesterius, left, edges home at Doncaster
Aesterius heads into Friday’s Turf Sprint on a roll. His neck defeat of Big Mojo in the Flying Childers was a career best and his connections have long had this race pencilled in as his end of season target.
Blessed with natural speed and an ability to lay up handy, the Mehmas colt appears to have all the right credentials for and it would be no surprise if he gave Wathnan Racing a first cherished Breeders’ Cup triumph.
Ability wise, he’s closely matched with Big Mojo (only 1lb separates them on official figures) so a lot will boil down to which of the pair gets the smoothest run round.
HILL ROAD
Race: Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Odds: 33-1
On the face of it, Hill Road looks up against it in the Juvenile switching to dirt. However, this lightly raced colt has what it takes to outrun his chunky odds.
Having bolted up over a mile on debut, the drop back to seven furlongs didn’t work for him in the National Stakes, but this extended mile should suit and his connections believe this young horse has a big future.
He’s bred to be a dirt horse, so the switch in surface should not be any issue. Hill Road may just have it in his locker to cause a shock in a race in which overseas raiders traditionally do not have a good record in.
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