Trainers' Reflections on Breeders' Cup

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Photo: Eliot Schechter

John Shirreffs is all smiles after Zenyatta's win in the Ladies Classic.

European trainer John Gosden declared the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park, the first run over a synthetic surface and with steroids banned, a success.

"Racing has had a difficult year in this country, let’s be honest," he said Oct. 26. "It was tremendous to have extraordinary good days of racing. As long as I live, I’ll see the (Ladies’ Classic), that huge mare (Zenyatta) winning. She’s phenomenal."

Zenyatta’s trainer, California-based John Shirreffs, agreed with Gosden’s assessment of his star.

"It’s quite an accomplishment to go all year undefeated, and to step up each time, four of them in Grade Is, like she did," said Shirreffs of the 4-year-old filly, unbeaten in nine starts, seven of them this year. "In the vote, she would have to be seriously considered for that."

Click here to read comments from many other Breeders' Cup trainers as told to the Breeders' Cup notes team.

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