Hollie Doyle bidding to cap a terrific year on outsider Mighty Gurkha

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade 2) | 5½f | 2yo | turf | Sky

Hollie Doyle has spent much of the last 12 months breaking down barriers and achieving great feats – so those taking her on at the Breeders’ Cup this year better watch out.

Doyle became the third female jockey to ride 100 winners in a calendar year in Britain last year, surpassed that feat this year despite the Covid-19 lockdown, became retained rider for Imad Al Sagar, rode her first Royal Ascot winner on Scarlet Dragon, rode her first Group winner on Dame Malliot and then completed a Group-race double on British Champions Day, headlined by the Group 1 success of Glen Shiel.

And now she is a debutante at the Breeders’ Cup where she will partner Mighty Gurkha for major ally Archie Watson, who is also seeking a first winner at the Breeders’ Cup.

Mighty Gurkha, who wears blinkers for the first time and breaks from stall one, has raced six times this season and landed the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton on his penultimate start before struggling on soft ground at Newmarket last time.

Returning to a quicker surface, Doyle is positive about the prospects of Mighty Gurkha returning to form. She said: “I’m delighted to be here for my first Breeders’ Cup. He feels great so I’m really excited now.”

Doyle’s excitement at her first Breeders’ Cup experience is matched by trainer Nigel Tinkler, who saddles Flying Childers winner Ubettabelieveit, with Rowan Scott retaining the ride.

“He had a nice little blow the other day,” Tinkler said. “Rowan said he handed the bends fine which is important.

“It's just brilliant to be here. Everyone at the Breeders’ Cup has given us a great welcome and I’m very grateful to everyone who has helped us get here. He’s spot on for Friday.”

The European challenge for the Juvenile Turf Sprint is completed by Lipizzaner, who will be aiming to give trainer Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore a second win in the race following the victory of Declarationofpeace at Del Mar in 2017.

O’Brien said: “We've been delighted with his last couple of runs, especially last time at Doncaster. He's a big, strong, powerful, fast horse who we're getting to know better with time.

"He should enjoy the nicer ground, it could be that it's been his strength that's helping him get through the softer ground previously.”

'He's an extreme talent' - Ward's Pal has golden chance

Wesley Ward has never been a trainer to hide his opinion of a horse, particularly if he thinks they are special, and Golden Pal heads into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with plenty of confidence behind him.

Golden Pal was an impressive winner on turf at Saratoga when last seen in August having only been run down late by The Lir Jet in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Ward had toyed with the idea of letting Golden Pal loose in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York before rerouting to Saratoga and is seeking back-to-back victories in the Juvenile Turf Sprint having captured the race last year with Four Wheel Drive.

Golden Pal: impressive winner at Saratoga on his latest startCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ward saddles four of the 14-strong field with After Five, Amanzi Yimpilo and Into The Sunrise set to go to post alongside Golden Pal, but the trainer only has eyes for one of his runners.

“Golden Pal has separated himself from the others,” Ward said. “He's an extreme talent. Of all the ones I have, I know who I would be betting on if I was a gambling man.”

What they say

Roger Hogan, assistant to Christophe Clement, trainer of Momos
He’s very, very fast. He’s not big but he’s just your typical early type two-year-old. He has a great mind and he looks terrific. He’s just an absolutely uncomplicated lovely little horse to be around.

Valorie Lund, trainer of Bodenheimer
He’s a tiger right now. A lot of two-year-olds can’t take the pressure of all the change. When he came here on Tuesday he rolled in his stall and just looked around. He’s a very low-key horse, but he’s very strong on the racetrack. He’s a mellow guy and not a worrier.

Phil Gleaves, trainer of Second Of July
Obviously this is a tougher race than the Futurity, which he won last time, although a couple of them in here ran in the Futurity. I do see him move forward again the way he’s training here. He seems very sharp.

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