Breeders’ Cup Turf

The race conditions of the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), 1 1/2 miles on grass at weight for age, constitute the classic standard of European racing, and as a result, overseas runners have won a majority of the contests. But they have not been dominant, probably because running in late October or early November-sometimes in tropical conditions-is not part of the European schedule, which traditionally culminates for top horses in early October with the running of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1).

In fact, American owners and trainers have fielded some outstanding grass runners, and they have defeated top-level European competitors over the years. At times, lesser American runners have prevailed because the Europeans were past their best form or did not adapt well to warm weather at Breeders’ Cup sites.

Because of its importance on the world racing calendar, the Breeders’ Cup Turf has become the definitive North American championship race. In every year except 1984 (John Henry’s last championship season), ‘89 (when the male title went to Breeders’ Cup Mile [G1] winner Steinlen [GB]), and 2005, when Europeans swept the top spots, a North American turf champion has come out of the Turf.

The 2003 edition featured the first dead heat in any Breeders’ Cup race when High Chaparral (Ire) and Johar reached the finish line together. High Chaparral was the first dual Turf winner.

A decade earlier, American-trained Kotashaan (Fr) dominated grass racing in Southern California and scored a half-length victory over fellow Californian Bien Bien in the Turf. With a weak handicap division that year and no dominant three-year-old coming out of the Triple Crown series, Kotashaan was voted both champion turf male and Horse of the Year. He remains the only Turf winner to earn the top North American honor.

Early in the Turf’s history, European runners gave indications they would dominate the race. Unheralded Lashkari (GB) won the inaugural running at Hollywood Park in 1984 at 53.40-to-1, the longest winning odds in the race’s history. Lashkari, who never duplicated that effort, was bred and owned by the Aga Khan, who also bred back-to-back Turf winners Daylami (Ire), who was leased to Godolphin Racing, and Kalanisi (Ire), also owned by the Aga Khan. In 2001, Godolphin’s Fantastic Light won at 7-to-5.

Pebbles (GB) was supplemented to the race in 1985 and scored a hard-fought victory over Strawberry Road (Aus). The Turf in the following year at Santa Anita Park was expected to showcase Dancing Brave, the Arc winner whose only career defeat was a second-place finish in the Epsom Derby (Eng-G1). But Dancing Brave was clearly over the top and tired to finish fourth as Manila stormed to a neck victory over Theatrical (Ire), who would win the Turf the following year.

California-based runners Great Communicator and Prized won in 1988 and ‘89, respectively, and the American home-court advantage appeared to be an important factor in the Turf. But European runners won the following two years and subsequently have performed well. In 1996, overseas interests swept the top four spots as Pilsudski (Ire) finished ahead of Singspiel (Ire), Swain (Ire), and Shantou. Shirocco (Ger) led a similar rout in 2005.

Canadian-bred Chief Bearhart scored a popular 1.90-to-1 victory in 1997, and Illinois-bred Buck’s Boy led a North American sweep of the top spots at Churchill Downs in ‘98. The European contingent then asserted itself through 2002, with California-based Johar sharing the winner’s circle with High Chaparral in ‘03. In 2004, Maryland-based Better Talk Now won at 27.90-to-1 over 7-to-10 favorite Kitten’s Joy at Lone Star Park.