Joseph O'Brien became the youngest winning trainer in Breeders' Cup history as Iridessa landed the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita.
All eyes were on heavy favourite and last year's heroine Sistercharlie, but she was in big trouble as they turned for home, Iridessa and local star Vasilika readily pulling clear of Chad Brown's filly in the final furlong.
That pair went on to produce a thrilling finish, trading punches all the way to the wire until Iridessa (8/1) landed the knockout blow and made O'Brien a Breeders' Cup history-maker for the second time after he'd become the youngest ever Breeders' Cup winning jockey when guiding St Nicholas Abbey to victory at Churchill Downs back in 2011.
For jockey Wayne Lordan, it was to be his first taste of Breeders' Cup success and he certainly played his part, pushing Iridessa up from the gates into a prominent position on the rail as Mirth ensured there was no hiding place by setting a strong gallop from the outset.
When the early pace collapsed as the runners navigated the far turn, Vasilika and Iridessa quickly took over and locked horns on the run for home but it was the Irish raider who just proved the stronger, Lordan driving his filly's head in front in the shadow of the wire.
Sistercharlie plugged on for third, John Velazquez indicating after the race that she might found the firm ground against her, while Fanny Logan closed well for fourth.
Billesdon Brook pulled hard early and failed to give her running.
“We just wanted to get a nice posi early and she had the pace to get that. I thought Wayne (Lordan) gave her a fantastic ride," said the 26-year-old O'Brien.
“It’s unbelievable, I’ve always got more of a kick out of training a winner than when riding a winner since I started training.
“We’ve got a fantastic team of people at home and there are people out in Australia too keeping the show on the road.”
🏇🇺🇸 Record breaker!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) November 2, 2019
🏆 Iridessa takes the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Joseph O'Brien becomes the youngest ever BC-winning trainer.
He was already the youngest BC-winning jockey.
🇪🇺 Europe off the mark!pic.twitter.com/fOEoIZY8HT#BC19
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