Gstaad overcomes post 14, propels O’Brien to Breeders’ Cup record in Juvenile Turf

Legendary Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien extended his grip on the Breeders’ Cup record book at Del Mar on Friday, courtesy of 6-5 favorite Gstaad in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).

Not only did Gstaad become O’Brien’s fourth straight winner of this race, and eighth Juvenile Turf hero overall, but he gave him a record-breaking 21st victory at the championships. O’Brien had been tied with the late Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas for the all-time Breeders’ Cup win record.

Moreover, Gstaad’s triumph moved O’Brien closer to another record on the world stage. By scoring his 26th Grade/Group 1 of the year, he’s just two wins away from equaling his mark of 28 in a single season. The master of Ballydoyle has three more chances on Championship Saturday, led by early Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) favorite Minnie Hauk. 

Although Gstaad was the clear form choice after a series of close seconds in the Prix Morny (G1), Vincent O’Brien National (G1), and Dewhurst (G1), the son of Starspangledbanner drew the far outside post 14 at Del Mar. Bettors still hammered him into 6-5 favoritism from a 9-5 morning line. He ultimately proved too good, after a little cause for uneasiness in the initial stages. 

Jockey Christophe Soumillon had his work cut out to mastermind the right trip for a colt who’d pulled early when he saw daylight in the Dewhurst. Gstaad didn’t help when breaking a beat slow, and briefly striding outward as he scrambled to recover. Soumillon got him into a decent spot, if still three-wide on the clubhouse turn, behind a contested pace.

Up front, Outfielder grabbed a narrow lead from Hey Nay Nay by zipping his opening quarter in :22.20. Hey Nay Nay continued to force the issue through the half in :46.52 and began to get the upper hand through six furlongs in 1:11.45. Street Beast, well placed in third, drew closer on the turn to join the fray, and Stark Contrast was making eye-catching headway on the inside.

But Gstaad was traveling with ominous authority. The fast tempo enabled him to settle into the race flow much better. After advancing on the backstretch, he circumnavigated wider on the far turn and engulfed Street Beast and Hey Nay Nay upon straightening.

The only potential threat came from Stark Contrast, who stayed on persistently on the rail. Yet he could get no closer than three-quarters of a length in second.

North Coast, trained by Aidan’s son Joseph O’Brien, rattled home late for third. Next came Street Beast, Heeere’s Johnny, Turf Star, Ardisia, Argos, Bottas, Hey Nay Nay, Let’s Be Frank, Third Beer, Gordon Pass, and Outfielder. 

The also-eligible, Caro Buono, opted to run earlier on the card in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. and finished fifth.

Gstaad polished off the mile in 1:34.93 to earn his first win since the Coventry (G2) at Royal Ascot. Campaigned by the Coolmore principals – Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor, the dark bay sports a mark of 6-3-3-0, $992,773. 

A winner on debut at Navan, Gstaad upset stablemate True Love, who went on to win the Queen Mary (G2), Railway (G2), and Cheveley Park (G1). True Love didn’t do herself justice on the cutback in Friday’s Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), winding up eighth, but Gstaad enjoyed the Juvenile Turf conditions. 

Soumillon, Coolmore’s go-to rider during the convalescence of Ryan Moore, explained why Gstaad missed the break.

“I was loaded last, and when the guy who put me in the gate went backwards, he got a bit scared and turned his head, and they opened the gates,” the Belgian ace said. “I think if I had been loaded before the last, I think he would have jumped nearly in front because he’s got that much speed. 

“I was quite happy to be able to get him in, because doing three or four-deep on the first corner is not a big advantage. I was trying to ride like Ryan (Moore) did last year with Henri Matisse. It works well because I was 2 1/2 deep on the back straight. The pace was strong, and I just tried to make a little move to get a little closer to have an option, so I could choose where we would come into the turn. 

“Finally, we came into the last turn, he was cruising, and I knew he was doing everything well. When I came into the straight, I knew it was game over.” 

Tabor praised the rider and the record-breaking trainer. 

“A very good performance, and Christophe did a great job from the draw,” the Coolmore partner said. “Aidan is now the most winning Breeders’ Cup trainer. He’s simply a superb trainer; his work ethic is incredible. You have to love what you do to be successful.

“Tomorrow we’ve got Minnie Hauk, so hopefully we’ll have a winner or two.” 

Bred by Maywood Stud in Great Britain and purchased for about $596,488 as a Tattersalls weanling, Gstaad is a half-brother to multiple Group 1-winning two-year-old Vandeek. They were produced by the Exceed and Excel mare Mosa Mine. This is the further family of multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Anabaa, sire of three-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) legend Goldikova. 

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