Classy Field Targets Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In Race at Newmarket for $1 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf
Breeders’ Cup Press Release
NEWMARKET, England― The unbeaten Shuwari (IRE), trained by Ollie Sangster, heads a classy field for Friday’s Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes (G2) at Newmarket. The winner of the 7-furlong showpiece for 2-year-old fillies is guaranteed an automatic starting position in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 80 Graded/Group stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.
Shuwari, a daughter of New Bay (GB), impressed on debut when winning the 7-furlong EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Newbury on good-to-firm ground. She stepped up in class in her next start at Sandown, winning a 7-furlong listed race, the European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes, under Oisin Murphy, who has the mount again. Owners Mrs. BV Sangster & Ballylinch Partnership will be hoping their filly relishes the step up to group company.
The Simon & Ed Crisford-trained Carla’s Way (IRE), a winner on debut, disappointed in the Albany Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot in June. Following a wind operation, she ran credibly to finish second in the 7-furlong William Hill Prestige Fillies Stakes (G3) at Goodwood on soft ground. The Shaikh Duaij Al Khalifa-owned daughter of Starspangledbanner (AUS) will be partnered by jockey James Doyle.
The George Strawbridge-owned Spiritual (IRE) made her debut at Leicester earlier this month and won in style for trainers John & Thady Gosden. The Invincible Spirit (IRE) filly ran greenly early on and should improve for this run.
Aidan O’Brien’s Ylang Ylang (GB) also boasts distance form and was impressive when winning the Jockey Club of Turkey Fillies Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown in late July. Ylang Ylang, a daughter of Frankel (GB), was bought for 1.5 million guineas as a yearling. The John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, and Westerberg-owned filly disappointed in her first attempt to gain an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf when she trailed the field of nine in the Sept. 10 Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) at The Curragh.
The Shadwell Estate Company Ltd-owned Alshinfarah (IRE) also won her first two starts on good ground over 7 furlongs at both Doncaster and Haydock before stepping up in grade and trip to finish a close third in the Sept. 7 Prix d’Aumale (G3) at ParisLongchamp on good-to-soft ground. Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy will be hoping this quality daughter of Noble Mission (GB) performs at her peak on Friday.
Completing the eight-runner field are the Roger Varian-trained Zenjabeela (GB), Carolina Reaper (GB), trained by Charlie Johnston, and Andrew Balding’s Marcella (GER).
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes winner to start in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita, which will be run at 1 mile. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the Championships’ pre-entry deadline of Oct. 23 to receive the rewards.
