Rumours of the Breeders' Cup's impending demise were greatly exaggerated

Had the naysayers been right, there would have been precious little to anticipate on the racing front this weekend. Instead we can savour another star-spangled edition of the Breeders' Cup, an event that has never been in ruder health.

There is a record European entry for a two-day gathering that was supposed to have been on its way to a slow death. As much was forecast at the start of the decade. It was a time when the intermingling of European and American blood, which had advanced harmoniously for several decades, was seen to have run its course.

The theory went as follows. With precious few US stallions considered capable of siring top-class turf runners, Europe’s tidal wave of participation at the Keeneland yearling sales had slowed to a trickle. There were simply not enough sires of interest to European buyers.