Fanshawe hails 'fantastic' Audarya after mare's luckless run at Breeders' Cup

James Fanshawe was left rueing a lack of luck in running for his star mare Audarya, who was a fast-finishing fifth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf as she was unable to successfully defend her title at Del Mar on Saturday.

The five-year-old had put in a career-best performance when the race was staged over an extended nine furlongs at Keeneland last year, but faced new challenges at the California track when stepping up to a mile and three furlongs for the first time – Del Mar's track configuration meant the race had to be staged over further – as well as having to break from the widest draw in stall 12.

Jockey William Buick managed to bag the rail early on, but Audarya met trouble as she was about to make her challenge before she stayed on to take fifth, beaten four and a half lengths.