The contingent of European Breeders’ Cup contenders arrived in Kentucky last night, led by three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile champion Goldikova (IRE). The fourteen-time Group/Grade 1 winner is seeking to extend her unprecedented Breeders’ Cup dominance with a fourth consecutive win in the Mile on Saturday, Nov. 5th. The Mile is most likely the last race in the brilliant career of one of the great milers of all-time.
Breeders’ Cup 2011: The Europeans Arrive At Churchill Downs
Overall, 29 foreign-trained horses were pre-entered for the 2011 Breeders’ Cup, including Classic contender So You Think (NZ), winner of over $7.5 million in his career. Elusive Kate, a French trained two-year-old filly that won the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Oct. 2nd, is one of the logical favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Additionally, Sarafina (FR), a three-time Group 1 winning filly and the pre-race favorite at this year’s Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (one of the most prestigious races in the world), is expected to take on the colts in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
One of the more intriguing European pre-entries at this year’s Breeders’ Cup is Nahrain (GB), a three-year-old filly that won the Group 1 Prix de l’Oprea in France in her last start. Nahrain is a perfect four-for-four in her young career and is considered a top contender for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf on Friday, Oct. 4th.
Below is a video of the unloading process at Churchill Downs.
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