Canford Cliffs (near) or Dick Turpin could head for the Sussex Stakes

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com  

Hannon dismisses talk of Breeders' Cup for milers

RICHARD HANNON has dismissed any talk of Canford Cliffs, Dick Turpin or Paco Boy contesting races at the Breeders' Cup, declaring that "I have three of the best milers in Europe, and Europe is where they will stay".

The trio enhanced their reputations at Royal Ascot on Tuesday with Canford Cliffs leading home Dick Turpin in the St James's Palace Stakes and Paco Boy failing by a neck to catch Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes.

The trainer has had unfortunate experiences at the Breeders' Cup, most notably when Mr Brooks broke a leg in the 1992 Sprint and was put down. Showbrook failed to finish the 1991 Juvenile won by Arazi and Surprise Offer, Hannon's last runner at the meeting in 1993, was tenth.

He said: "Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin are two very special horses and together with Paco Boy I have three of the best milers in Europe, and Europe is where they will stay.

Richard Hannon: "not interested"

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

"There has been a lot of talk about Paco Boy going to America and I have even heard mutterings about Canford Cliffs heading for the Breeders' Cup too, but I am not interested in what they have to offer across the pond.

"There are enough races for all of them over here and we will have to sit down and try to keep everybody happy by keeping them apart."

Quoted on his website, Hannon added: "I would not have any qualms about taking Canford Cliffs to Goodwood, so the Sussex Stakes would have to come into the equation, but we also have Dick Turpin. He won the Richmond Stakes there and I am desperate for him to win a Group 1.

"He has twice beaten Canford Cliffs, but he bumped into one in both the English and French Guineas.

"We had been thinking about the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on July 4, but that might come too soon. We'll see how all the horses come out of their races before making plans."