St. Nicholas Abbey swept to a scintillating Turf victory on Saturday, making 18-year-old Joseph O’Brien – trainer Aidan O’Brien’s son – the youngest jockey to win a Breeders’ Cup race.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Joseph O’Brien, who showed plenty of maturity as he guided St. Nicholas Abbey on a well-judged trip that left his mount plenty for a final surge in the $3 million 1 1/2-mile race on the turf course at Churchill Downs.
Sea Moon, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore, had no answer when St. Nicholas Abbey powered past at the end.
“I had to be patient and wait for the gaps, but when I got out at the bottom of the straight he picked up really well,” the beaming jockey added as he began giving interviews before he had even dismounted.
Moore said Sea Moon couldn’t have done more.
“My horse ran very well,” Moore said.
“The winner was just too good.”
Brilliant Speed was third as classy French filly Sarafina, who started the favorite, was fourth.
Sarafina’s jockey Christophe LeMaire was unable to complete a second prestigious win this week, having ridden Dunaden to a memorable victory in the Melbourne Cup.
“The trip was a bit long for her on that kind of ground, soft ground,” Sarafina’s jockey Christophe LeMaire said.
“It’s quite soft. I was in a spot where I could improve my position without any effort, but when I put her out, she couldn’t quicken really, like she’s used to doing on good ground.”
Midday, the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner, was never in position to challenge in the final race of her career.
It was the second win of the day for the team of Aidan O’Brien and owners Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor – this one sparking a family celebration.
“This is very special. Unbelievable,” Aidan O’Brien said. “It was a wonderful race. He is an amazing rider.”
At 18 years and five months old, Joseph O’Brien became the youngest Breeders’ Cup-winning jockey, surpassing Fernando Jara, who was 18 years and 10 months when he won the 2006 Classic on Invasor.
The younger O’Brien, who rode his first winner in 2009 and his first Group One winner in May, acknowledged that at 5-feet-11-inches tall he may not be destined for a long riding career.
“I’ll keep riding for as long as possible,” he said.
“Obviously, I can’t control my height and weight. I’ll try to control it as long as possible and take it from there.”
AFP AAP TURF
