Juvenile Bids To Provide Her Majesty A Top-Level Success
DEAUVILLE, FRANCE (Aug. 22, 2020) – In the colors of HM Queen Elizabeth II, Tactical (GB), is set to take on eight rivals in the 6-furlong Darley Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville on Sunday. The Prix Morny winner will receive an automatic berth into the US$1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) through the international Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is a series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 6-7.
The Andrew Balding-trained juvenile Tactical, a listed winner at Royal Ascot in June, steps up in company after a comfortable win in the Tattersalls July Stakes (G2) at Newmarket on July 9. The son of Toronado (IRE) is bidding to provide Her Majesty with a first Group 1 success since Estimate’s (IRE) memorable victory in the 2013 Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot.
Balding said, “This has been the plan since his win at Newmarket. I was thrilled with his performance that day. He seems to be improving with every run and we have been very happy with his work at home. He’s pretty versatile ground-wise. He won on good to soft at Newmarket during a heavy downpour, so I don’t think soft conditions at Deauville will bother him. It would be fantastic to have a top-level success for Her Majesty.” Pierre-Charles Boudot will ride Tactical.
Nando Parrado (GB) caused a shock at Royal Ascot when scoring at 150-1 in the Coventry Stakes (G2) over 6 furlongs. The son of Kodiac (GB) is trained by sprinting specialist Clive Cox, who won this race in 2012 with Reckless Abandon (GB). Christophe Soumillon takes the ride.
The British challenge is further strengthened by the Mick Channon-trained Cairn Gorm (GB), who isunbeaten in all three starts, winning a Group 3 over course and distance earlier this month. Veteran Gerald Mosse takes over the ride from Tom Marquand. Trainer Richard Fahey’s Rhythm Master (IRE), a novice winner at Haydock in his only start, completes the British quartet.
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winning trainer, Wesley Ward, looks to Campanelle (IRE) for an automatic place in this year’s renewal. Stonestreet Stables LLC’s filly was last seen winning the Queen Mary (G2) at Royal Ascot under Frankie Dettori, who takes the ride again this Sunday. The daughter of Kodiac (GB) hopes to follow in the steps of the mighty Lady Aurelia (USA), winner of this race in 2016 for the same connections.
Campanelle is one of four fillies entered for this Group 1 contest. Alain Jathiere, Alain Chopard & Guy Pariente’s Livachope (FR), winner of the Prix du Bois (G3) at ParisLongchamp last time out, hopes to preserve her unbeaten record. They are joined by listed winner Acapulco Gold (FR), trained by Fabrice Chappet, and market outsider Winvalchope (FR).
Farfar (USA), trained by husband and wife duo Pia and Joakim Brandt, completes the lineup.
As a part of the benefits of the Challenge series, the Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Darley Prix Morny to start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, which will be run at 5 ½ furlongs over the Keeneland turf course. Breeders’ Cup also will provide a travel allowance of $40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must already be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program or it must be nominated by the Championships’ pre-entry deadline of Oct. 26 to receive the rewards.
ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP
The Breeders’ Cup administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred horse racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge qualifying series, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races. The Breeders’ Cup is also a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, an organization composed of industry leaders committed to advancing safety measures in Thoroughbred racing and improving the well-being of equine and human athletes.
The 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Championship races, is scheduled to be held on November 6-7 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky and features a total of $35 million in purses and awards. The event will be televised live by the NBC Sports Group. Breeders’ Cup press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, breederscup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.
