| Owner : Flaxman Holdings Ltd. |
The story of this year’s Mile focused on the European star Rock of Gibraltar, winner of seven straight Group 1 races before shipping to the United States. Widely regarded as the top miler in the world, “the Rock” went postward at 4-5, the shortest odds in Mile history. With regular rider Mick Kinane aboard, the pair did not get off to a good start and raced well back for the first three-quarters. As Rock of Gibraltar was gaining momentum at the top of the stretch, he had to check to avoid the fallen Landseer, and although he finished in very dramatic fashion, the Rock was left with too much to do in the late stretch. Meanwhile, first-time Breeders’ Cup rider Thierry Thulliez took Domedriver on a ground-saving ride throughout, seized the lead in the final eighth and had enough in the tank to hold off Rock of Gibraltar. |
