Bodog Beat

Goldikova, Prix du Moulin de Longchamp champion, could be headed to Santa Anita in October. (Bodog Beat Image)

The European contingent of possible Breeders' Cup challengers continues to look strong with wins in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and the Group 1 Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes on Sunday, Sept. 7.

The 1-mile €400,000 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp was won by Goldikova, a 3-year-old filly trained by Freddie Head. This was her second Group 1 victory, and it was over Europe's other highly rated miler Henrythenavigator, who finished a disappointing fifth. Under jockey Olivier Peslier, Goldikova took control of the race six furlongs in and defended her lead from a late-charging Darjina to win by half a length. A trip to Santa Anita in October appears to be in Goldikova's future, according to Head: "She will definitely go to the Breeders' Cup now… She could go for the Mile or the Filly and Mare Turf." As for Henrythenavigator, he will be looking to regroup at the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Sept. 27 at Ascot on his way to the Classic or the Mile.

New Approach continued on his path towards the Breeders' Cup with a win in the €1M Irish Champion Stakes, a 1-1/4 mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up. Fans expecting to see a rematch between Epsom Derby winner New Approach, and Juddmonte International Stakes champion Duke of Marmalade were disappointed when the latter was scratched by trainer Aiden O'Brien due to soggy track conditions. Surprisingly, New Approach's fiercest competitor came in the form of 50-1 longshot Traffic Guard, who rallied late and fell short of the win by a mere half-length. New Approach's connections now have their sights set on more prestigious challenges—according to trainer Jim Bolger, "[Owner] Sheikh Mohammed is keen on [New Approach] running in the Breeders' Cup Classic."

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