arazi and all - churchill memories

By Dave Ord

1988 - Miesque flies the flag

Bonfire night 1988 and the Breeders' Cup arrives at the lush lawns of Churchill Downs for the first time.

It was a day to remember for D Wayne Lukas who was on target in no fewer than three of the championship races with Gulch (Sprint), Open Mind (Juvenile Fillies) and Is It True (Juvenile).

On the equine front, the home crowd roared their approval as Personal Ensign touched off Winning Colors by a nose in a 'I was there' moment in the Distaff.

Even that was capped later on the card when Alysheba took the mantle of greatness by beating Seeking The Gold in a thrilling Classic.

But for Europeans the night belonged to the brilliant Miesque. She reigned surpreme in the Mile, showing her customary startling acceleration to slam Steinlen by four lengths. It was an imperious display.

Elsewhere in the race the likes of Ravilenna and Warning wilted in the sun, but for Miesque this was leg one of an unforgettable Breeders' Cup double.

1991 - Arazi is the real deal

A good night for the Europeans started with Sheikh Albadou's dash down the stretch for Sprint glory. Trained by the late Alex Scott and ridden by Pat Eddery, he sauntered home by three lengths in front of a stunned crowd. In any normal year that was a headline performance. But in 1991 we had Arazi.

It remains THE most memorable back-stretch move of any race I've seen. The diminutive son of Blushing Groom simply cut through the pack with Pat Valenzuela sat motionless. Onto the hooves of home favourite Bertrando he roared and then straight past.

It was a performance which more than any sparked European interest in the Breeders' Cup. Haven't seen it? Go to the official site and I promise you, it remains a must-see moment for any racing fan.

In the Mile the former Henry Cecil-trained Opening Verse (who threatened to stun Nashwan, Indian Skimmer, Warning et all in the Eclipse at three) sprang a major surprise - but nothing to compare to Miss Alleged in the Turf.

Pascal Barry's charge was a 421/10 chance as she beat Itsallgreektome and Derby hero Quest For Fame. It was an understandable price though. She had finished 11th of 14 behind Suave Dancer in the Arc on her previous start.

1994 - Dettori arrives on world stage

The European raiding party of 1994 was again among the winners at Churchill Downs - with pride of place going to Barathea's rout of his Mile rivals.

Frankie Dettori was sat motionless down the straight on Luca Cumani's charge and his push-button acceleration sent him a long-looking three lengths clear of nearest pursuer Johann Quatz. There was the flying dismount of course as the European superstar jockey emerged onto the world stage.

Elsewhere there was a French one-two in the Turf, Tikannen coming from last to first to charge down Hatoof with the likes of Intredpidity, Only Royale and Hernando in the pack.

There was nearly a first in the Juvenile too - Henry Cecil's Eltish beating all bar Timber Country as he switched to dirt for the first time. Sadly there were no such heroics from the popular Lochsong in the Sprint. Her dream was over at the gates as she missed the break and was beaten before taking a stride in anger.

1998 - Swain almost saves the day

A blank day for Europe but on an evening that threatened to be one of the most forgettable in the history of the meeting for the raiding party, the best had very much been saved for last.

Swain headed to the Classic looking to beat the American superstars at their own game - ten furlongs on dirt. He should have too, seemingly having the race in safe-keeping when drifting vioilently to his right under Dettori's remorseless drive inside the distance. The record books show he was beaten three-quarters of a length and neck by Awesome Again and Swain. The heart - and head - say it was one that got away.

The same can't be said of Royal Anthem, red-hot favourite for the Turf. He was sixth turning into the straight and his race was over. Sunshine Street fared a little better, belying odds of over 100/1 to finish fifth for Noel Meade.

There was British interest in the finish to the Mile but only because the Michael Dickinson-trained Da Hoss edged out Hawksley Hill, a former inmate of Lynda Ramsden's yard. The likes of Second Empire, Among Men and Desert Prince all failing to fire.

That was the general theme of 7th November 1998 as far as Europe went. But Swain oh so nearly made a night of relentless frustration, one of great glory.

2000 - Deja vu as Iron Horse cracks

There is something about the ten furlongs dirt oval at Churchill Downs that somehow breaks European hearts. Two years on, for Sakhee read Giant's Causeway.

Here was our Iron Horse, a street fighter who would look an opponent in the eye before breaking their spirt. As they turned for home he was eyeballing Tiznow and they had the race between them. Surely he wouldn't let us down.

He didn't. But just as push came to shove, just as the killer blow was about to be landed, Mick Kinane got his reins tangled. It was a momentary loss of momentum. The difference between victory and defeat? It seemed so.

It wasn't a second successive Churchill blank for Europe though. Kalanisi and Johnny Murtagh hit the front close home to win the Turf with Montjeu languishing back in seventh. It was some display but all the talk afterwards was of the Iron Horse and his cruel derailment on the biggest stage of all.