Staying up late tonight to watch the Melbourne Cup at 4am this morning. So what better way to fill the time than another episode in the Breeders' Cup Greats series?
After the brilliant Arazi in the 1991 Juvenile, Royal Academy and Lester Piggott taking the Mile in 1990, and the gallant Giant's Causeway in defeat in the 2000 Classic, the next on the list is the brilliant finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2003.
High Chaparral was a dual Derby winner, an Irish Champion Stakes winner and already a Breeders' Cup Turf winner. He had also finished 3rd in the Arc as a 3yo and repeated the feat at 4, both times as favourite. In 2003 he crossed the pond to attempt to retain his crown at Santa Anita. He was a tough and consistent performer and he headed to the Turf, which was to be his swansong, with a big shout. The European challenge was strong with Falbrav and Sulamani also taking their chance. The race itself lived up to the loftiest of expectations as High Chaparral, Falbrav and US outsider Johar fought out an epic finish down the home straight. In the end the 12f trip was insufficient to separate High Chaparral and Johar as a dead heat was announced, with Falbrav just a head back in 3rd. Finishes do not come much more drmatic than this. The race was proclaimed as the 'race of the decade' and who could argue? It was everything that racing should be: top class horses in a top class race fighting out a thrilling finish. Epic stuff.
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