'I just couldn't believe it' - Willie Mullins conquers Del Mar as Ethical Diamond breaks course record in stunning Breeders' Cup Turf upset

Willie Mullins made history as Ethical Diamond caused a 20-1 upset in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. 

Mullins has conquered virtually everything over jumps but reached new heights with his biggest success yet on the Flat, striking with his first runner at the Breeders’ Cup.

His only previous top-level Flat win came when Wicklow Brave landed the Irish St Leger in 2016, but he added to that haul as Dylan Browne McMonagle steered the five-year-old to claim the $5 million contest in a course-record time.

Ethical Diamond, who has had seven of his 15 races over hurdles, had never competed at Group level on the Flat and arrived after landing two valuable handicaps – the Duke of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot and the Ebor at York.

As the first trainer to send a horse from winning the Ebor to the Breeders’ Cup, Mullins said: “I’ve always said winning the Grand National with my son Patrick [was my greatest achievement], but this might come second best. I just couldn’t believe it. I looked at where he was and the speed he was going and I said, ‘this is going to be on’.

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“David Casey was instrumental in sending him here, so I have to give a shout-out to him. He’s in Australia with Absurde.

“After the draw in 14, I thought maybe sixth, seventh or eighth, but when Aidan [O’Brien’s] horse won from 14 on Friday that gave me a little bit more confidence it could be done.

“The tactics are a key part to him and Dylan, being the cool man he is, executed them perfectly.”

Willie Mullins after his shock Breeders' Cup success with Ethical DiamondCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Wathnan Racing's Silawi made the running and down the back straight the leading trio in the market – Minnie Hauk, Goliath and Rebel’s Romance – were travelling strongly in behind. 

Minnie Hauk led the field into the home straight, but Browne McMonagle came widest of all and flew past his rivals to finish clear of Rebel’s Romance in second as Minnie Hauk faded into sixth.

Browne McMonagle, who was crowned Irish champion jockey this week, added: “It’s an unbelievable training performance. He’s something else. Willie was expecting him to run a nice race and to be placed would have been huge, but I was quietly confident beforehand.

Ethical Diamond beats Rebel's Romance in the Breeders' Cup TurfCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

• Recap all of the action on a blockbuster Breeders' Cup Saturday

“His form is very good and he’s a horse who likes to relax. On his last start at York he joined in at the two pole and it takes a good horse to do that. The trip was never going to be a problem and from the wide draw we decided to take him back.

“This is unbelievable, it doesn’t get much better than this. To have a few rides here is huge, but to win one of the big races is massive.”

Dylan Browne McMonagle won the Breeders' Cup Turf on Ethical DiamondCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins has pulled off a remarkable feat with a horse who finished 15th, beaten 43 lengths, in a Leopardstown handicap hurdle last Christmas, now landing one of the most prestigious prizes in Flat racing.

The trainer will now head to Australia looking to make more history with Absurde lining up in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday morning.

Turf runner-up Rebel’s Romance came close to becoming the first horse in history to win the race three times but was denied by what NBC hosts described as the most shocking result they could remember in the race's history.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Coming down the stretch I thought he was going to go about his business and create his own history, but full credit to the winner.

“What we’ve seen there today shows he’s still at the top. He’ll get a well-deserved break, do his winter campaign as he’s done before, and then we’ll work it out from there.”

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