The European contenders for this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships touched down at Keeneland racetrack's quarantine barn Saturday. The Godolphin shipment arrived in quarantine at 4:15 p.m with the remaining horses, including Aidan O'Brien's, arriving at 9:30 p.m. All connections reported their horses traveled over well and there were no issues.
The European horses cleared quarantine Monday afternoon and all exercised Tuesday.
The first horses out were the Richard Fahey duo The Platinum Queen (Juvenile Turf Sprint) and Midnight Mile (Juvenile Fillies Turf). Regular rider of The Platinum Queen, Oisin Orr said, “She seems in great form, moved well and feeling good so everything is great.”
Dramatised (Juvenile Turf Sprint) trained by Karl Burke exercised with the Fahey horses. Karl's daughter Lucy who is overseeing preparations said, “Dramatised has taken all travel and quarantine as well as we could ask for. She was happy to be out this morning and just did a light exercise, but everything is good with her so far.”
John Quinn who trains arguably the European's biggest hope, Yorkshire's racing royalty, Highfield Princess (Turf Sprint) was on track this morning.
“It's wonderful to be back at the Breeders' Cup,' Quinn said. “Highfield Princess has traveled over great and Con Foley who is with her reports he couldn't be happier. She did some light exercise this morning and moved well. She's eaten up and drinking well so all is good. I'm delighted with the draw in gate six. Obviously Golden Pal sets the standard but there's also some very good horses in the race which you have to respect. Tomorrow she'll do similar as today, light exercise and her jockey Jason Hart will be here to ride her. She'll go for a spin on the turf on Thursday with an easy day Friday. Her owner Mr. (John) Fairley arrives with his family on Thursday and they're very excited, and why shouldn't they be!”
Aidan and Joseph O'Brien were also on track to watch their horses. O'Brien Sr. said,
“It's great to be back here, it's always a highlight of our year to come to the Breeders' Cup. The lads are delighted with the horses and how they traveled so we're ready for a big week. They just had a hack around the main track this morning which is what we'd always do on the first day of training just to let them have a look around.”
John and Thady Gosden are represented by Mishriff (Turf) and Nashwa (Filly & Mare). Their traveling head lad Anthony Proctor said, “I'm very happy with both horses. They traveled over great and have settled in well. Nashwa looks to have a big chance in the Filly & Mare and you can't discount Mishriff. It'll be his last race on Saturday before retirement. He's been a wonderful horse who has taken us around the world so he will be a big loss to the yard. He's wearing blinkers for the first time on Saturday which should sharpen him up.”
Charlie Appleby arrives in Kentucky later today and will be trackside Wednesday. Maria Murphy who is overseeing his horses said, “The team are very happy with the horses. They traveled over very well and seem in good form. They went out on the turf this morning doing light exercise. Charlie arrives today so he will be here tomorrow for training.”
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