Midday lands Breeders’ Cup - Filly and Mare turf

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Khalid Abdulla’s filly, sent off the 15/8 favourite, was given a perfect ride by Tom Queally, who settled his mount close to the pace just off the leaders. She hit a flat spot along the back straight but Queally urged her to keep her box-seat position and responding well she was back on the bridle turning for home. The pace-setter Visit came off the rail allowing Midday a perfect split around the inside. She showed her trade-mark turn of foot to put the race to bed in a matter of strides and galloped strongly to the line to win with a length to spare.

Cecil had come close to landing a Breeders’ Cup title with Eltish in 1994 but until last night a victory at America’s biggest meeting had eluded him. He said as his winner walked into the winners’ circle: “The main thing was to have a nice position and when she hit the straight she could go for home.”

“The Breeders’ Cup has always been her main target. I hoped to have her right for the Opera on Arc day but that race is a Group One and she needed the run slightly.” “I have always dreaded the Breeders’ Cup slightly as I haven’t had great results there.” “It is lovely to win for (owner) Prince Khalid Abdulla as he is a friend and supporter of mine. He stuck with me through the bad times and it is great to repay him.”

It was Queally’s first ride at Santa Anita and his performance on board Midday was second to none. He judged the pace of the race to perfection and this victory capped a tremendous season for him, being his fifth Group/ Grade 1 win. He said: “This crowns my year. Even if she had run well but not won it would have topped a great season, but this is the icing on the cake. “Henry told me to keep it simple and I knew she had heart, attitude and the ability to dig deep when it mattered.”

The daughter of Oasis Dream stays in training next year and connections hinted that a repeat bid for Breeders’ Cup honours, next year at Churchill Downs, may be on her agenda.