Joseph O'Brien makes history as Iridessa sole winner for Europe at Breeders' Cup

Eight years after becoming the youngest rider to win a Breeders' Cup race with that star-spangled Churchill Downs triumph on St Nicholas Abbey, Joseph O'Brien now holds the same distinction as a trainer after Iridessa lit up Santa Anita in the Filly & Mare Turf.

The only European-based winner at the two-day fixture, Iridessa clung on gamely by a neck to also secure a breakthrough win at the meeting for Wayne Lordan. Her narrow success was a fourth at the highest level, and Lordan, 37, has been in the plate for each victory.

While the meeting was largely a disappointment for the European contigent, Iridessa ensured it was not a complete blank. The victory also puts O'Brien in exalted company, with his father Aidan, Vincent O'Brien and John Oxx the only other Irish-based trainers to have won a Breeders' Cup race.

Iridessa and Wayne Lordan win the Filly & Mare TurfCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It hasn't sunk in yet," admitted the 26-year-old, who in the early hours of the morning had also plundered the Lexas Hotham Stakes at Flemington with Downdraft. That winner will now be one of four to represent him in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, a race he won in 2017 with Rekindling.

"We were very happy watching Iridessa through the race. We wanted to get a nice position early and we were able to do that, and Wayne gave her a fantastic ride," O'Brien added.

The daughter of Ruler Of The World, who finished third to Billesdon Brook on her last start in the Sun Chariot Stakes, was settled towards the front as Mirth set a blistering tempo.

Turning into the straight, it was clear Iridessa was travelling well and, despite the looming presence of Vasilika, she just prevailed.

"It's unbelievable, just incredible," Aidan O'Brien said after watching his son's latest international exploit. "I can't tell you how proud I am for him. It's such a tough business and I'm delighted for him and Wayne."

Lordan, who flies out overnight to ride Il Paradiso for Ballydoyle in the Melbourne Cup, relished the moment on the 8-1 shot.

"I might not sleep much with excitement now, but I'm looking forward to Melbourne," he joked.

"Every Flat jockey wants to win races like the Derby or an Arc, and the Breeders' Cup is one of them. Lucky for me, Joseph looks after me very well, and this filly has looked after me even better, so it was great to get a win here."

Lordan signed up at Ballydoyle after David Wachman quit training in 2016, essentially eschewing his successful association with the Stack family stable in the process.

However, it is a move that has reaped no end of rewards, and O'Brien snr had allowed Lordan to get off Just Wonderful here so he could maintain his partnership with Iridessa, albeit it became moot after Fleeting was withdrawn on veterinary advice in the morning.

"Aidan is great like that," the jockey said. "Even yesterday in the two-year-old race, he felt Joseph's filly [Unforgetable] had a better draw and might be capable of running a bigger race so he let me ride her, and the same today. He is very fair and he wants us all to do our best. On occasions like this he put me forward first before his horse."

Sistercharlie, sent off the 4-5 favourite, could finish only third ahead of the fast-finishing Fanny Logan and Frankie Dettori in fourth.

Sistercharlie's rider John Velazquez commented: "The track is really hard, which was a disadvantage for my horse. I was right behind the winner but the way the track is the speed is holding on. She ran well but she didn't like it."

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