Horses In Focus: Aidan O’Brien’s key Breeders’ Cup runners including Love

Adrian Wall runs through Aidan O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup 2021 contenders including Love and Mother Earth. He has a typically strong squad of runners to do battle with and should have his stars spot on for the showpiece event at Del Mar Racecourse.

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Bolshoi Ballet

Ballydoyle have yet to finalise their team in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but the first reserve Bolshoi Ballet needs one entrant to withdraw before the weekend in order to get in. Sent off favourite for the Derby, he gained US experience when finishing fourth at Belmont last time. It would be no surprise if one of Japan or Broome was pulled out in order to get him in.

Broome

Another chance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, Broome is another with live credentials. The French Group 1 winner cut no ice in the Arc last month but he has good form on a sound surface so it would be no shock to see him run a big race if he got a bit of luck in running.

Glounthaune

It would be something pretty special for 96-year-old owner Evie Stockwell if her horse could win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. He has to find big improvement from somewhere to win this, a remote sixth in the Dewhurst last time out nowhere near up to this standard. Won a Group 3 at Leopardstown since but he looks up against it.

Japan

With Love now going down another road, Japan has now been guaranteed a run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and he is another with a chance if he shows his best. He looked a horse going right to the top in 2019, winning the Juddmonte and finishing fourth in the Arc. Things haven’t gone on from that and he has a lot to prove at present.

Love

A Group 1 winner at the age of two, three and four, Love is a very classy girl and although she hasn’t reached the same dizzy heights this term, she is to be feared in the Filly & Mare Turf. She missed the Arc for several reasons (ground and a high temperature) and has three defeats to overcome but she loves a fast surface so should have her conditions.

Mother Earth

This consistent performer will run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile and she has the form to go very close or even win it. This will be her ninth run at the top table this year alone so she has had a very busy campaign. However, she takes racing in her stride so fitness won’t be a problem. A solid run in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes against the boys last time out, she loves a sound surface and will feel at home at Del Mar.

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