Charlton eyeing Breeders' Cup Mile for Decorated Knight swansong

Saturday's surprise Irish Champion Stakes winner Decorated Knight could have the final start of his career in the US rather than at Ascot, but trainer Roger Charlton is eyeing the Mile rather than the Turf – for which the Leopardstown Group 1 was a 'win and you're in' qualifier.

The five-year-old, ridden by Andrea Atzeni, swept from last to first up the short home straight at Leopardstown, just like Almanzor last year – but rather than follow the path to the Qipco Champion Stakes, the prospect of much quicker ground, means Charlton favours a trip to Del Mar.

Explaining the decision, he said on Sunday: "We're considering the Breeders' Cup, he'll either go there for the Mile, or to the Champion Stakes, but at the moment we're favouring Del Mar.

"He loves fast ground, which you tend not to get at Ascot in October, and a fast run race over two turns should really suit him. Plus, the turn of foot he showed at the end of yesterday's race is also encouraging.

"He's won three Group 1s this year, anything else is a bonus, and I imagine he'll have only one more run before going off to stud – where he should be very popular as a three-parts brother to Gleneagles out of a sister to Giant's Causeway – and it'd be a big bonus to win over a mile in America, and no loss if not."

Charlton added: "It was amazing, unbelievable, fantastic. It was really good. He was at a disadvantage to everyone else as we didn't fly him over and Mr O'Brien has even less far to go, whereas he travelled 12 hours to get there and it'll be the same on the way back, so it makes it extra special."

While the winner of the Irish Champion Stakes may not be heading to Ascot for the British equivalent the Sir Michael Stoute-trained runner-up Poet's Word will be.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, said: "He ran a fantastic race, we're delighted with his run, it was a big step forward but Michael really liked him for the race. He thought he'd be placed at least.

"He'll go for the Champion Stakes next and that will probably be it until next season. He looks the ideal type for the Dubai World Cup as he's lightly raced, stays, has speed and goes on any surface, and obviously his owner would love that, but Michael may have other plans. We'll leave it up to him."

Decorated Knight and Andrea Atzeni winners of the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1).Leopardstown.Photo: Patrick McCann 09.09.2017Credit: Patrick McCann

While the first two will run again, the third home, long-time pacesetter Eminent, is unlikely to – with trainer Martyn Meade keen to draw stumps after a long season that started in April in the Craven.

"He ran a really good race, you couldn't really be disappointed with him," said Meade. "It's always a big risk to run from the front in these races and he's done well in the circumstances.

"He's had a busy season and Frankie [Dettori] gave him a great ride – he was there to be shot at and I fear the ground was just that bit slower on the rail than it was up the middle; that's often the case, and they had a lot of rain. If it had been faster it would have helped him a bit – the ground just got to the bottom of him."

He added: "I still think he has a bit of furnishing to do, so he'll be put away now. He's done a hell of a job to run the races he has. It would have been nice to go for his break off a win but, in the cold light of day, third in a race like that is excellent.

"We'll give him a nice, long break and bring him back slowly. I think we'll really see the best of him next year, and something like the Prince of Wales's might be the ideal starting point."