Teddy Grimthorpe believes Sea Moon has the right credentials to make his mark in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs next month.
Although the mighty Frankel will not be making a Stateside trip this year, owner Khalid Abdullah is still sending a strong team to Kentucky.
Sea Moon was a brilliant winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York and could be counted an unlucky loser when third in the St Leger at Doncaster.
Grimthorpe, Abdullah’s racing manager, said: “He won really well at York and really didn’t get the run of the race in the St Leger.
“He got blocked a few times but he ran a very decent race and he’s been in very good form since. The Breeders’ Cup Turf just seems to have come in right for him.
“He had a slow spring and he just wasn’t quite right and it just took a while for him to get going. We hoped he might be a Derby horse at one stage.
“He’s quite a robust horse both in character and type, so I don’t think you’d worry too much (about going to America).”
Grimthorpe confirmed Sea Moon would stay in training as a four-year-old.
Abdullah is set to be doubly represented in the Breeders’ Cup Filly And Mare Turf, with Midday and Announce both booked on the plane.
Midday won the race in 2009 and was beaten just a neck a year ago and is set to sign off her racing career on November 4.
Sir Henry Cecil’s five-year-old came from a long way back to finish fourth in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last weekend.
“She’s come out of it really well and she just got shuffled back a bit too far,” Grimthorpe told Racing UK.
“She did make up quite a bit of ground to get up for fourth and she looked like she hadn’t finished her business. She was looking like she wanted to go on and do a bit more.
“Henry has got her in the Turf as well, so we’ll take a peek at that, but I would think the first preference will be the Filly And Mare Turf.”
“I think she’ll retire after this year. She’s a remarkable lady.”
PA AAP