Ethical Diamond: From the Hurdles to Breeders’ Cup Turf Glory
- Turf Diario
- 1d
- 3 min read
The Willie Mullins trainee delivered the shock of the Breeders’ Cup, defeating the great Rebel’s Romance in stunning fashion at Del Mar
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California)
DEL MAR, California — No one saw it coming. In a GI Breeders’ Cup Turf that promised a clash of champions, it was Ethical Diamond who stunned the racing world with a devastating late surge to capture the most important victory of his career—and the first Breeders’ Cup triumph for both trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Dylan McMonagle.
At five years old, and with a past far removed from Europe’s flat-racing elite, the Awtaad gelding became the unlikely hero of the day: a horse who spent much of his career over hurdles in Britain and then, on the sport’s grandest international stage, defeated proven stars like dual Turf winner Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) and hot favorite Minnie Hauk (Frankel).
Sent off at $57.40 to win, Ethical Diamond trailed for much of the race with only two rivals behind him, before unleashing an electrifying rally down the center of the course to stop the clock in 2:25.45 for the 2400 meters over firm turf—setting a new Del Mar course record.
Front-runners Silawi (Dubawi) and Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor) carved out an honest tempo, while Rebel’s Romance stalked ideally just behind them, biding his time. As Minnie Hauk swept past to take command at the top of the stretch, McMonagle swung his mount six wide, asked for more—and in a matter of strides, Ethical Diamondroared past, finishing 1¼ lengths in front to complete one of the greatest upsets in Breeders’ Cup Turf history.
“We knew the key was to let him relax at the back and hope for a strong pace,” said a beaming McMonagle, who earlier this year captured the Irish riding title and now crowns his season with a global triumph. “When I saw they were going fast, I felt confident. In the straight, once I got room, I pressed the button—and he just flew.”
For Willie Mullins, the victory carried extra resonance. The Irish National Hunt master, renowned for his Cheltenham Festival dominance and unmatched versatility, brought his genius to the flat in spectacular fashion. “With Willie, you always have a chance,” McMonagle added. “He’s different—whatever the discipline—and the horse was in perfect order. This win is all about the team.”
With this triumph, Ethical Diamond boosted his earnings to $3,121,001, from 15 starts, with 5 wins, 1 second, and 1 third. Bred in Ireland by Gestüt Ammerland, he is out of the German mare Pearl Diamond (Areion).
Rebel’s Romance finished a gallant second, narrowly missing a record third Turf title, while El Cordobés (Frankel) was a close third, three-quarters of a length back. Minnie Hauk, who had taken the lead too early and perhaps felt the effects of her recent Arc de Triomphe (G1) effort just two weeks ago, faded to sixth.
From hurdles to the heights of Del Mar, Ethical Diamond delivered one of the most astonishing stories in Breeders’ Cup history—a testament to patience, versatility, and the limitless imagination of a trainer who continues to redefine what’s possible.
