It is next stop Santa Anita for the Aidan O’Brien-trained MASTERCRAFTSMAN (Danehill
Dancer), winner of this season’s Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) and St
James’s Palace S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, after his easy success in Friday
evening’s Diamond S. (Ire-G3) at Dundalk.
The Diamond is one of 11 European races in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge,
guaranteeing the winner a place in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon, but O’Brien has
his sights on another prize at Santa Anita, either the $2 million Breeders’ Cup
Mile (G1) or the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 7.
Mastercraftsman rolled to a five-length victory over Fiery Lad (Mull of
Kintyre) in the extended 10-furlong ace on Polytrack.
“I’m delighted with that performance,” Ireland’s champion trainer said.
“There was no pussy-footing around and they went a very strong gallop. Johnny (Murtagh),
as per usual, kept very cool and he knows the horse better than anyone.
“You’d have to be very impressed with that performance and Johnny said when
he went to follow the leaders he probably got there a bit too soon. He is a
great horse and showed all his class.
“He’s proved he can go on the (synthetic) surface and cruised home. He will
definitely go to Santa Anita, probably for the Classic — though he’s in the
Mile too — along with RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo [Ire]). If both horses are well,
I imagine they will run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”
Sent off the 2-9 favorite, Mastercraftsman was settled in third by Murtagh as
stable companion Augustusthestrong (A.P. Indy) led initially and then Via
Galilei (Galileo [Ire]) took over the pacesetting role.
The eventual winner was 15 lengths back at one stage but made progress
turning for home and closed on the weakening leaders strongly at the two-furlong
pole. He led within another half furlong and went clear under a hands and heels
ride. The time for the 10 furlongs and 150 yards was 2:12.18.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is an international series of 63 races whose
winners earn qualifying positions into a corresponding race at the World
Championships, following the payment of applicable entry fees on October 26.
Following Friday’s Diamond S., there are two more European races still to
come in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge. The Prix de l’Abbaye (Fr-G1) at Longchamp
on Sunday, for which the winner earns a place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint,
and the Champion S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket on October 17, for which the victor is
guaranteed a place in the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).