Benvenuto Cellini found his absolute best form and delivered another Breeders' Cup Turf victory for Aidan O'Brien
The son of Frankel and Newspaperofrecord launched a formidable stretch drive to capture the 2,400-meter event at Keeneland. Ryan Moore once again demonstrated his masterclass racecraft, while the Irish trainer reached 28 Group 1 victories on the season, equaling his own world record
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent for Turf Diario in Lexington, Kentucky)
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a special correspondent).— Benvenuto Cellini needed a performance like this to finally fulfill everything that was expected of him. After a season marked by brilliant moments and a few disappointments, the Irish colt achieved his definitive consecration in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), where he produced a spectacular stretch drive to capture the lion's share of the $5-million purse in one of the international calendar's premier events.
Under an extraordinary ride by Ryan Moore, the son of Frankel scored by 3/4 of a length over Map of Stars (Sea the Stars), while stablemate Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) finished third by the same margin. Tiffany (Farhh) was fourth, and Survie (Churchill) completed the order of finish in a race run over 2,400 meters of firm turf, stopping the clock in 2:27.50.
The victory carried special significance for Aidan O'Brien, who captured his eighth Turf title, extended his record in the race, and equaled his own world record of 28 Group 1 wins in a single season.
Yet the most breathtaking element was the manner in which Benvenuto Cellini won. Breaking from post 2, Mooreopted to wait along the rail, settling seventh early as the Japanese contender Deep Monster (Deep Impact) set fractions of 47.82 for the first 800 meters and 1:12.84 for the 1,200.
The Ballydoyle representative remained hemmed in behind a wall of horses and, as the race began to take shape,appeared to have far too much traffic ahead.
Entering the final turn, he had dropped back to twelfth in the 14-horse field. Moore, however, never panicked. He searched for seams along the inside, saved ground, and steadily asked his mount for more. Once he finally found clear passage, Benvenuto Cellini unleashed a devastating turn of foot.
He blew past El Cordobes (Frankel) and Bay City Roller (New Bay), threaded the needle between Diamond Necklace and Tiffany, and surged past Map of Stars in the closing yards.
“Ryan gave him a brilliant ride. He stayed cool the whole time, even when it looked like he didn't have much early speed. He found the way through, and the horse showed that explosion we knew he had,” celebrated O'Brien.
The trainer emphasized the colt's stamina over 2,400 meters: “With a strong pace and firm ground, he has all the class required. We knew he could finish like this. I'm delighted for the entire team,” he added.
Map of Stars, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and ridden by James Doyle, ran a tremendous race to finish second,especially considering he broke from post 14.
“My horse did everything right. He found space and accelerated, but the winner just had a superior finish. I was hoping Ryan would stay boxed in, but he found a way out,” acknowledged Doyle.
Diamond Necklace, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, also left a favorable impression, though the final stages tested her limits.
“She responded really well turning for home, but the final 100 meters proved a bit long for her. I'm very proud of her effort,” the jockey explained.
Benvenuto Cellini's victory also carried historic significance through his pedigree.
The colt is out of Newspaperofrecord (Lope de Vega), winner of the 2018 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1),making him the fifth winner of a series event whose dam was also a Breeders' Cup winner.
Bred by Coolmore and White Birch Farm, the representative of Westerberg, Peter Brant, and the Coolmorepartners secured his fifth win in ten starts, boosting his earnings to nearly $4 million.
His season had launched with immense promise following a win in the Chester Vase (G3). However, at the Epsom Derby (G1), he was declared a non-runner after a gate mishap saw his leg become caught as the doors opened.
He rebounded to win the Irish Derby (G1), but subsequently placed third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), fifth in the Prix Niel (G2), and ninth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).
At Keeneland, the colt O'Brien had always envisioned finally arrived. The victory marked the trainer's 24th Breeders' Cup title and Moore's 19th, as well as his sixth win in the Turf.
O'Brien confirmed that Benvenuto Cellini will remain in training for 2027, with Hong Kong as his likely next target.
“That was the plan: come here and then head to Hong Kong. I think he will be an extraordinary horse at age four,” he previewed.
With a closing rally destined to rank among the defining highlights of this Breeders' Cup, Benvenuto Cellini erased the doubts of his campaign and achieved an unforgettable victory—leaving the distinct impression that the best chapter of his story is yet to be written.
