Breeder’s Cup World Championship 2021
The Breeders Cup World Championship have just been completed at Del Mar in California. Fastnet Rock (Danehill – Piccadilly Circus ) was an Aussie with a presence and he did us proud. The Spring Carnivals in Melbourne and Sydney are not truly World Championships. You need the best in the world competing. These horses were in Del Mar. The Melbourne Cup is the only local race that attracts sufficient world interest of horses, trainers, jockeys and the general public. This is a fact. It doesn’t matter what the well oiled PR machines might say. It is also irrelevant to how much money is thrown at the various races.
The races at Del Mar attracted the best in America, Europe and Japan. Dermott Wells was there; Aiden O’Brien with a big string of horses and Godolphin in force. Unfortunately, John Gosden was unable to bring Mishriff (French Derby winner,3xG1 this year and arguably the world’s best horse) for the Breeders Cup Classic or Turf. He was early favorite for the race.
Fastnet Rock Waves the Aussie Flag
Australia had a significant representation in the World Championship Juvenile (2yo) Fillies race on Turf. Pizza Bianca ( Fastnet Rock – White Hot) was coming off a second in the
Fastnet Rock : fast Racehorse Super Sire and now Broodmare Sire
G1 Natalma Stakes following up her win in a Maiden at her first start. After starting the race well, the filly dropped back and was last coming into the straight. The jockey (Jose Ortiz Jr ) and Pizza Bianca formed a masterful combination as they weaved their way past and through the entire field to win going away. Her breeder/owner Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay praised the efforts of his trainer Christolphe Clemete with his first win in the Breeder’s Cup after 40 attempts. Pizza Bianca is superbly bred. Her dam White Hot never raced but she is a daughter of Gwynn the dam of the 2011 Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi (Montjeu – Gwynn ).
Australia’s other interest in the race was the previously unbeaten Koala Princess (More than Ready- Koala Queen by Lonhro). Sent out the favorite in the race but caught wide and finished 21/4 lengths from the winner.
Seeing the horses competing in the Breeder’s Cup World Championship was great viewing.