Dubawi colt Modern Games makes it two from two in the Breeders’ Cup
MODERN GAMES becomes a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner, taking this year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile and adding to last year’s “win-but-not-a-win” the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Jockey William Buick said after today’s victory: “He was really professional to have to do what he did last year and today he was foot perfect – just a little bit slow out of the gate, he anticipated and then missed it.
“I was happy where we were, and once I got him running he loves this ground and he stays well. I stayed off the rail, I thought he was the best horse in the race and I wanted to give him every chance.”
Pre-race Charlie Appleby has not hidden his confidence in the son of Dubawi’s chances in the Grade 1 and post-race he explained his thinking: “He is just the ultimate professional and one of the gamest horses I have been lucky enough to train. He does what he says on the tin.
“He is showing us how good he is, he is typical Dubawi and won’t lie down and he loves it in the US, hopefully we will see a bit more of him next year. He is not the biggest but he grows an inch or so when he is here.”
He has now won four top level races, twice in the US, once in Canada and when successful in the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains in France.
He finished second on his last start in the UK when second to Bayside Boy in the QEII, while in July at Goodwood he was second to Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes (G1).
His dam, Modern Ideals (New Approach), a half-sister to the French Group 1 winner Ultra, has produced three black-type winners, including Mawj (Exceed And Excel) this year’s winner of the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.
Modern Ideals had a filly by Mastercraftsman in 2021, her 2022 foal by Ribchester died and she returned to Dubawi this spring.