Jockey Tom Eaves delighted with reaction to his Breeders’ Cup win on Yorkshire’s Lady Slippers

Tom Eaves after winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on Glass Slippers.

TOM EAVES says he’s been left overwhelmed by the congratulatory messages after Glass Slippers won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint a week ago at America’s flagship fixture.

The globetrotting filly’s third Group One win in as many countries, Eaves is even more heartened that the superstar sprinter stay in training at Kevin Ryan’s Hambleton stables next season.

“It is amazing – it is something you dream of when you are a kid,” said the North Yorkshire-based jockey who is engaged to the trainer’s daughter Amy, herself a former champion apprentice.

This was Tom Eaves winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint Turf under Tom Eaves.

“Before the race, you just tried to treat it like another race. But when you get home, and read all the messages, it’s absolutely brilliant. I’m over the moon.”

His first ride at the Breeders’ Cup, Eaves sought the counsel beforehand of former champion jockey Ryan Moore who advised him to stay close to the inner and hope that the gaps open.

They did – and Eaves suggests that Glass Slippers had so much class that there were no hard luck stories in the race. “She was class – she picked up and soon put the race to bed. I wouldn’t say anything was unlucky – she was class.”

A fourth Group One win for the jockey, it provided more than ample compensation for the veteran Brando being denied on the line in last month’s Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

Tom Scudamore and Kingswell led from start to finish in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in which dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll was pulled up.

Eaves says his success in sprints is down to coincidence and, like every jockey, he wants to excel in races over multiple distances.

Meanwhile, dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll was pulled up in Cheltenham’s Cross Country Chase – he never travelled – in a race ultimately won by Kingswell Theatre who led from start to finish under an inspired Tom Scudamore. Little Bruce was last of the finishers for Catterick trainer Phil Kirby and jockey Tommy Dowson.

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