Brilliant Sun Goddess in a class of her own

Sun Goddess confirmed herself as a two-year-old out of the ordinary with a clear-cut win Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland

Seen by many as the banker of the two-day meeting, she already had three Group Ones in Europe to her credit but she had to contend with the journey to America and stall nine.

However, Ryan Moore got her out of the stalls sharply and across to the inside in the perfect position just behind the leader whereas her main market rival, Francis-Henri Graffard’s Amusingly, had to settle at the rear of the field.

As soon as Moore kicked clear early in the straight the race was over as a contest and once again it was left to Joseph O’Brien’s Green Empress to chase her home, the fourth time she has been second to the winner this year.

Johnny Murtagh’s Curracloe ran a fine race to finish third while Amusingly made late gains under Colin Keane for fourth. Joseph O’Brien’s Alwaysanangel finished fifth in a clean sweep for the Europeans.

It was Aidan O’Brien’s 22nd Breeders’ Cup winner, meaning he has now had more winners at the meeting than anybody else, having been previously tied with Bob Baffert.

O’Brien said: “She was just really natural all the way from day one.She obviously had a run or two before Royal Ascot and she’s taken everything in her stride.

“We could have taken in the Fillies’ Mile in Newmarket on the way, and the lads just decided this with the view to next year. They wanted her here, so that’s why she’s here.

“Whether it’s six furlongs, seven or even a mile now it all comes alike to her.

“Ryan just lets her come out and he lets her get comfortable in the first half and in the second half she comes home really well.

“I suppose a worry today was we all know what she can do when there’s a strong pace on in front of her. He thought that he was going to end up a lot more forward than usual on her because he wasn’t sure what was going to take her. So that’s exactly what he did.

“I thought he gave her a beautiful ride. It was all very clean cut, no chances. The filly had a lovely day out.

“We usually start this kind of filly in the Guineas, I’d imagine the English Guineas is where she will start and there’s a chance she might stay further.”

Moore said: “What she’s done this year is very unique, that is her fourth Group One from nine starts, that was her first over a mile though and the first time round a bend.

“There was a lot new to her but she was able to sit just off the pace and the pace was very ordinary really, we felt like we went a lot slower than we normally do in Cup races over a mile here.

“She was in front a long way from home and she was only idling really. It’s hard to know where the bottom is for her. Hopefully she can continue next year.”

Co-owner Michael Tabor said: “To win wherever the Breeders’ Cup is held is very special because it’s great competition and the crowds make it.

“I love American racing but it’s tougher (to win) out here. Paul Shanahan buys so many of our horses and the irony of it is that this is maybe the cheapest (£120,000) he’s bought but probably the best.”