The first week in November is a golden spot on the calendar for fans of top-class international flat racing action. Tuesday, 5th November, is the date to remember for the biggest staying handicap on the planet as over in Australia Flemington plays host to the Melbourne Cup. And just a few days before that, we have what promises to be a memorable edition of the Breeders’ Cup Festival.
Del Mar is the chosen destination for the 2024 edition of this Grade 1-laden feast as talent from far and wide heads to the sunny climes of California. With huge money on offer, this meeting never fails to attract a strong challenge from the leading British and Irish yards, and this year is no exception.
Day 1 at Del Mar is devoted to the juvenile division, and if the betting is any guide, Britain and Ireland may be in for a solid start to this fixture. In the weeks leading up to the event, nine British or Irish-trained runners are trading at a single-figure price on the opening day. If the raiding party is to strike juvenile California gold, the market suggests the following are most likely to plunder the loot.
Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint
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Inaugurated in 2018, British runners missed the target in the first four editions but head to Del Mar seeking a third win on the spin, following the 2022 victory of Chalie Appleby’s Mischief Magic and the 2023 triumph of Big Evs – trained by Charlie’s brother, Michael.
Big Mojo
Going in the same blue and red quarters of RP Racing Ltd as 2023 hero Big Evs, this son of champion sprinter Mohaather exploded onto the scene with a 25/1 shock win in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. Last sighted finishing a neck second in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes, he’s fancied by many to hand owner and trainer back-to-back wins in this Friday feature.
Aesterius
Representing the emerging force that is Wathnan Racing, this Archie Watson star arrives on a high following wins in the Prix d’Arenberg and Flying Childers Stakes – that latter event seeing him reverse Molecomb Stakes form with Big Mojo.
Babouche
Going in the famous Juddmonte silks, this highly regarded filly lived up to her lofty reputation to win her first three starts – culminating in an impressive victory in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. The soft ground proved her undoing in the Cheveley Park Stakes last time, but back on a quick surface, she looks a threat to all.
Whistlejacket
Hailing from the yard of Aidan O’Brien, Whistlejacket failed to keep tabs on Babouche in the Phoenix Stakes but rebounded with a Group 1 success of his own in the Prix Morny. Running with credit when second to the talented Shadow Of Light last time out in the Middle Park Stakes, he may go close to handing his trainer a first win in this event.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf
Given the perceived advantage of European runners in turf contests, it is a little surprising that the raiding party have won only two of the previous 16 editions of this – those victories coming courtesy of Aidan O’Brien’s Meditate (2022) and Charles Hills’ Chriselliam (2013).
Lake Victoria
Topping the list of UK entries this year is the current favourite for the 2025 edition of the 1000 Guineas. Four from four in her career to date, the daughter of the mighty Frankel is already a dual Group 1 winner and looks like another star in the making for the Aidan O’Brien yard.
Heavens Gate
Whilst not so spectacular as stablemate Lake Victoria, Heavens Gate has enjoyed a productive season of her own and arrives on the back of a career-best win in the Weld Park Stakes. Often racing up with the pace, she may be suited by the tight Del Mar track.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf
With an impressive 11 wins in 17 editions, the British and Irish challengers have dominated this contest – led by six-time winner Aidan O’Brien.
New Century
Classic-winning trainer Andrew Balding has tasted international success in Dubai, Canada, and Hong Kong but has yet to hit the Breeders Cup bullseye. Bidding to change all that in 2024 is this son of Kameko, who showed a liking for this part of the world when landing the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine in September.
Al Qudra
Announcing himself on the big stage with a win in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot, Al Qudrah chased New Century home at Woodbine but didn’t help himself when missing the break that day. Granted a sharper start, he may go close to handing Charlie Appleby a fourth win in this contest.
Scorthy Champ
Two-time Melbourne Cup winner Joseph O’Brien rarely misses an international racing party and will have high hopes of Breeders’ Cup success with this son of strong speed influence Mehmas. Kicking off with an impressive Maiden win at Leopardstown, he appeared to be put in his place in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes but took a huge step forward to master his Leopardstown conqueror Henri Matisse in the Group 1 National Stakes last time.