Aidan O’Brien Shines at Breeders’ Cup with Historic Double

Aidan O’Brien kicked off the 41st Breeders’ Cup in spectacular fashion, leading Europe to success as Lake Victoria triumphed in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, followed by Henri Matisse in the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. This remarkable double saw O’Brien draw level with D. Wayne Lukas as the joint most successful trainer in the history of these championships.

Lukas, a legend in US racing, has had a long-standing friendship with O’Brien, which began when the young trainer brought Giant’s Causeway for the Classic in 2003. “Wayne rang earlier in the week,” said O’Brien. “He is such a special man; it’s an honor to share the record with him.”

Lake Victoria, pushed to keep pace from her inside draw, faced a challenging start when she was hampered on the first bend. However, jockey Ryan Moore skillfully navigated the situation. As a previous Group One winner over both six and seven furlongs, she showcased her speed, eventually claiming victory. “Ryan was very comfortable on her down the back straight, although he was further back than he wanted to be after she got bumped,” explained O’Brien. “For a filly to win three Group Ones, it’s very special.”

Moore, now one win ahead of Frankie Dettori as the most successful European jockey at the Breeders’ Cup, reflected on the race: “All she needed was normal racing luck, and we just about managed that. I had no concerns about her handling the turns, distance, or track; to me, there was no doubt she was suited to a mile here. She just needed a run, she got that, and she was too good.”

In contrast, Henri Matisse navigated a wide route from his 13th stall. He remained flat to the board throughout but surged in the straight to finish strongly, ensuring a European clean sweep of the Turf races.

Earlier in the day, the Juvenile Turf Sprint featured an Irish one-two, albeit without O’Brien's involvement. The Ger Lyons-trained Magnum Force, a 125-10 shot, delivered an impressive performance under Colin Keane. Displaying patience behind a brutal pace, Keane slipped up the rail to pass eight rivals in the short straight and held on against Adrian Murray’s fast-finishing Arizona Blaze.

“The pace was real quick, and I accepted it,” said Keane, who is now two wins from four rides at the Breeders’ Cup. “It was also very rough up front for a furlong and a half. The pace collapsed turning in; the horse on the outside was falling away, so I went down the inside. We thought we’d see a better horse on the quicker ground and round a bend, and thankfully we did.”

Lyons captures a photograph of every winner in his office each season, clearing the wall at year-end to start fresh. “When he went past the line at Doncaster, I thought the first three would be banging heads together for the next 18 months. I knew the second was going to the Breeders’ Cup; I’d be sick if I didn’t go.”

He praised Keane, noting, “Colin is humble and unassuming; he’s won two Breeders’ Cups, and still no one knows about him. With the right ammo, he delivers on the big stage. I haven’t got the horses, but I need the world to wake up to him.”