Midday Gives Cecil First Breeders' Cup Win

Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Midday slipped through the inside at the top of the lane, opened up a clear lead in the stretch, and then held off a late charge by Pure Clan to win the $2-million Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) by a length Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park (VIDEO).

Midday, who was bred in England, gave the Europeans their second win of the 26th Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The 3-year-old daughter of Oasis Dream was making her first start in the United States. She is trained by Henry Cecil, a renowned English trainer who earned his first Breeders’ Cup victory after many years.

“It was lovely,” Cecil said. “I did fancy Father Time in the Marathon, but he just didn’t seem to let himself go at all, so I was wondering what was going to happen here. It’s a relief. It’s great for the Prince (Khalid Abdullah, owner of Juddmonte). He has been a great supporter of mine. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here now. I was quite happy.”

With Thomas Queally aboard, Midday raced mid-pack in a field of eight through the early going while Visit, also bred in England by Juddmonte and by Oasis Dream, set a moderate pace under John Velazquez. The 4-year-old filly loped along through fractions of :24.14 for the opening quarter-mile and :48.83 for a half-mile, with Dynaforce and Rutherienne doing their best to stay close.

Midday began to edge closer after Visit went six furlongs in 1:12.95, moving along the inside to take third position, just behind Dynaforce as they made their way into the turn. Visit was still the leader when they straightened away, and led by two lengths with a furlong remaining, but Queally found room on the inside and moved his charge by the longtime leader in upper stretch.