Juvenile Watch: Ross Millar's Breeders' Cup reflection

Gstaad was able to overcome his wide draw in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf to finally land a top level win at the fourth attempt after a number of good efforts when finishing runner-up.

Despite racing widest of all, he travelled like the class horse in the race and needed only pushing out under hands and heels by Christophe Soumillon.

It was deeply impressive on the eye but the presence of North Coast just three lengths back in third does suggest that this was maybe a weaker than usual renewal of this race.

North Coast, a Joseph O’Brien trained son of Starman, had been more than ten lengths behind Gstaad when the pair had previously met in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes in September.

It’s not a result that will change my view of the form accumulated by Gstaad in Europe this season.

Ardisia faced a stiff task on all known form and immediately made it tougher for himself by breaking slowly and racing towards the rear.

Oisin Murphy was not able to conjure the same magical route that he’d found on Balantina (more of her in a moment).

This was Ardisia’s twelfth start of a season that started in April and was his first try over further than six furlongs. 

This was inconclusive regards his stamina but his run when second at Ascot on Champions Day certainly gives hope that he will stay at least seven furlongs next year. 

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf lost much of its interest when hot favourite Precise, who had been about Evens, was withdrawn after being found to be coughing. 

Balantina had been flagged up in this column as a Star Performer after her win at The Curragh back in May.

I had followed her diligently in her next few starts where she had run well without being able to add to that win. A tall, elegant, lightly built filly I felt a lacklustre run in the Debutante Stakes suggested she had done enough for the season.

How wrong I was!

Under a daring ride from Oisin Murphy, who threaded a route up the rail, she galloped out strongly to the line and clearly appreciated the combination of this step up in trip and this quick ground.

I would be confident that she will physically improve for another winter and with her stamina for a mile now proven she could enjoy a fruitful campaign in 2026.

Pacific Mission tracked the winner through the race but lacked the same gear change.

A daughter of Lope De Vega, her best form has come under slower conditions, so she may well be a filly to follow in races over a mile on ground with some cut in it next term.

Queen Of Hawaii was unable to utilise her inside draw and was never in contention. She will stay further than this and I won’t be giving up on just yet. 

Brussels did best of the five-strong raiding team in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint and should make his presence felt next term.

He had shown good early speed in his previous two starts at Newmarket, so there was reason to hope he would d be able to go forward from his draw in stall one.

Unfortunately, he was slowly into stride and was forced to race towards the rear. His finishing effort was smart as he powered home to finish a never nearer second.

However, to call him an unlucky loser would be a stretch as he never looked particularly comfortable on this sharp track.

The sprint division is lacking depth and his versatility – he has the speed for five furlongs and the stamina for six - means that he has got a good chance of landing Group prizes next season.

Aspect Island ran well in third. Unlike Brussels, he broke well and was able to enjoy asmooth passage through the race without being good enough to win.

He may well improve as a three-year old but he will need. A brother of Tasleet , a fast five furlongs will be when we see him to maximum advantage.

I’m a big fan of True Love, so it was disappointing to see her season end on a low note, though she had a valid excuse. Like her stablemate, Brussels, she was slowlyinto stride and left posted wide on the track. She was always up against it and lacked her usual zip at the end of a long season, which started in May.

I hope she returns next year but my suspicion is she may have already peaked.