Tudhope eyes Breeders' Cup Turf challenge

The biggest win to date in the career of jockey Danny Tudhope, it was the precursor to a landmark weekend for North Yorkshire with the Richard Fahey-trained Ribchester landing the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

First Mondialiste. His classy win for Tudhope, The Yorkshire Post columnist, and trainer David O’Meara guarantees the six-year-old a place in the mile-and-a-half Breeders’ Cup Turf – one of the world’s most valuable races – in California in early November.

Second to Tepin in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile, there is every likelihood that O’Meara, who trains near York, will step his stable star up in distance from 10 furlongs – the Arlington distance – to 12 furlongs.

Geoff and Sandra Turnbull’s horse of a lifetime has nothing to lose and clearly relishes racing in North America after landing Toronto’s Woodbine Mile last year.

“It couldn’t have worked out better,” said Tudhope. “We’d gone over the race so many times but you don’t know how it’s going to go.

“It couldn’t have gone better, though.

“He seems to love it out here, he thrives out here.

“It’s amazing to win a race like this my first time here, it’s 
amazing for everyone at the yard.”

Meanwhile, Malton-based Fahey described Ribchester’s triumph as “the biggest win of my career” following a performance in France which oozed class.

The Godolphin colt looked unlucky when finishing like a proverbial train in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month and backed up that view by comprehensively turning the tables with Galileo Gold who, according to Frankie Dettori, ran too freely.

It was Andre Fabre’s Vadamos that proved the biggest obstacle to overcome for William Buick and Ribchester, but they did so with a smart change of gear to seize the advantage.

Buick, who had flown to France from Chicago after being out of luck in the aforementioned Arlington Million, gave Ribchester a congratulatory pat down the neck as the combination crossed the line in triumph.

Fahey said: “He’s incredible and came here in top form. He has a lot of class and a lot of speed. It’s probably the biggest win of my career and I’m very pleased, of course.

“He will probably go to Ascot now for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Miracle jockey Connor Beasley recorded another landmark win courtesy of Nameitwhatyoulike’s emotional success in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes at Ripon.

Just over 13 months ago, Beasley fractured his skull and spine, suffered bleeding on his brain, lost half of an ear and all of his teeth after a frightful fall at Wolverhampton. But after having spent three months in a custom-fitted body brace, Beasley defied medical logic by returning to the saddle in March.

He has since enjoyed a nice run of form, but took his game to the next level at Ripon when he guided the Ayr Gold Cup-bound Nameitwhatyoulike to an accomplished success for Hambleton trainer Bryan Smart.

Beasley said: “Mr Smart’s horses are flying and I must thank him and the owners for putting me up.

“He showed loads of boot from the stalls and the plan was to nick a length or two two furlongs out and try and cling on and it worked. I’ve been through a lot in the last year and I must thank all the owners and trainers who have supported me.”

Henry Candy’s July Cup sprint hero Limato has been supplemented for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.

Moviesta claimed an authoritative victory in the Bar One Racing Mourne Handicap at Dundalk.