Top-Level Glory For Starspangledbanner’s Gstaad At The Breeders’ Cup

Gstaad (2c Starspangledbanner - Mosa Mine, by Exceed And Excel) gained a deserved first victory at the highest level in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Friday.

The Ballydoyle-trained colt had won the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and then finished second in three Group 1s, namely the Prix Morny, National Stakes and Dewhurst.

This victory saw Aidan O’Brien overtake the late D. Wayne Lukas as the all-time leading trainer at the Breeders’ Cup.

Gstaad settled in midfield under Christophe Soumillon and made steady headway after half way. The son of Starspangledbanner was asked to close from two furlongs out and ran on under hands and heels in the final furlong for a three-quarter-length success.

O’Brien said: “Wayne was such a big help to us all the time and when we had Giant’s Causeway he was such a help. He was there at the barn when we were relatively new here and helped shoe him and he came down to the track with us on his own horse. Everything he did was for his horses and his owners. He dreamed a lot and was an incredibly special man.

“The lads put in so much day in day out making these pedigrees and they let them run, they don’t protect them. We’re so lucky Christophe wasn’t tied down to a retainer [when Ryan Moore was injured], he’s incredible to work with. He’s a great horseman and a great jockey.

“I’m so delighted, it’s an unbelievably privileged position working with special people. So many people have contributed and make these days happen and Christophe gave him such a special ride.”

“This horse will be a Guineas horse, he’s a big horse that’s getting quicker and we always felt he would get a mile. He’s a [half] brother to a very good one [Vandeek]. We thought he’d have won a couple of Group 1s by this stage, he’s a horse to look forward to next year.”

Gstaad was bred by Maywood Stud.