Breeders Cup European Runners

There has always been significant interest in the European runners at the Breeders Cup, due in the main to punters knowing more about the horses Breeders Cup form than its American trained rivals. Over the last twenty five years the Breeders Cup has grown in stature in Europe and many of the big European stables see the event as the conclusion to their flat racing season.

Seen by many as the World Championships of thoroughbred racing the likes of Aiden O'Brien and Godolphin send over an army of runners every year in a bid for glory and huge prize winnings. We've listed some of the European runners to look out for in the 2009 Breeders Cup.

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European Runners in the Breeders Cup Classic

Rip Van Winkle - Aiden O'Brien's three year old has a chance to step out of the shadow of Sea The Stars in the Breeders Cup Classic and looks likely to go off favourite for the race. Three times a loser to Sea The Stars, in the 2000 Guineas (4th), the Derby (4th) and Eclipse (2nd).

Rip Van Winkle has shown some good late season form having won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Sussex Stakes and looks a worthy favourite.

Twice Over - The Henry Cecil trained Twice Over is himself enjoying somewhat of an Indian summer as a four year old after a mainly dissapointing 2008 campaign as a three year old.

Winner of the Champion Stakes at Newmarket he has reportedly galloped well since and travels to Santa Anita Park with high hopes.

Mastercraftsman - It's still uncertain as to which race Mastercraftsman will run in but he's one of the ante post market leaders for the Breeders Cup Classic.

Another runner who has played second fiddle to Sea The Stars in Europe this season the Aiden O'Brien trained three-year-old will have plenty of supporters having won the St James's Palace Stakes and Irish 2000 Guineas in 2009.

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European Runners in the Breeders Cup Turf

Conduit Conduit - Winner of this race in 2008, Conduit is amongst the favourites to repeat back to back wins in the Breeders Cup Turf for Sir Michael Stoute.

After another good campaign this summer where he finished fourth in the L'Arc De Triomphe and winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes he reperesents the pick of the European runners.

Vision D'Etat - French trained Vision D'Etat travels to the States off the back of a dissapointing run in the Arc De Triomphe where he finished tenth.

The Eric Libaud trained four year old will be looking to draw on the form that won him the Prince of Wales Stakes and Prix Ganay this summer.

Spanish Moon - The lightly campaigned Spanish Moon represents an alternative choice for Sir Michael Stoute trained backers and will certainly be as fresh as a daisy for the contest. Winner of the Prix Foy in September the five year old may represent decent each-way claims come race day.

Check out the Breeders Cup Turf Odds Comparison.

European Runners in the Breeders Cup Mile

Goldikova - Another 2008 Breeders Cup winner takes her chances again in the 2009 renewal of the Breeders Cup Mile for French based trainer Freddy Head.

The four year old is proving to be somewhat of an enigma after having been twice a beaten favourite in 2009. She has however won the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and won the Prix Du Haray in blistering style at Deauville in August.

Delegator - An ante-post favourite for the Derby has had a difficult season since winning the Craven Stakes back in April.

A beaten favourite in the 2000 Guineas the Godolphin trained three year old has had just one win since, in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood.

View the latest betting odds on the 2009 Breeders Cup Mile.

Keep your eye out for plenty of European runners in the other Breeders Cup races. The Mile, Turf and Classic probably represent the best chance of a European winner although new race Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf may throw up a winner for Europe. Any race ridden on the dirt track should be avoided, barring the Breeders Cup Mile, with European trained runners having poor records.

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