Dermot Weld out for first Breeders' win
One of the surprising statistics to have emerged in the build-up to Mustajeeb's run in the Breeders' Cup Mile is that Dermot Weld has yet win a race at what is one of the biggest meetings in the world.
Weld has broken down barriers for European trainers in international events, and is most renowned in America for Go And Go's 1990 Belmont Stakes win.
Along with Alain de Royer-Dupre, he is also the only European to have won the Melbourne Cup, which he claimed twice with Vintage Crop (1993) and Media Puzzle (2002).
Mustajeeb arrives at Santa Anita with strong form claims for Sunday's race, having won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and just being touched off by Bow Creek on Irish Champions Weekend.
"He has been a very consistent horse all year," Weld said.
"The ground wasn't right for him when he was beaten by Kingman at the Curragh in the Irish 2000 Guineas and he was beaten by a very good horse at Leopardstown last time.
"Toronado will obviously be hard to beat and the French filly (Veda) of the Aga Khan's is smart, but we have a good draw and a good jockey (Pat Smullen).
"He ticks all the boxes and we are all set."
In contrast to Weld, French trainer Freddy Head has an unbelievable Breeders' Cup record as a jockey and trainer thanks to wonder mares Miesque and Goldikova, and brings Anodin to the contest.
"He comes to the Breeders' Cup in the best condition of any horse I have been associated with that has run at this meeting," Head said.
"Of course, he is not as good as Goldikova, but he may not have to be.
"He will be suited by the flat track, as well as its sharp nature and the two turns.
"I think European racing was not ideal for him, because most of the tracks there are galloping in nature, and Santa Anita puts the emphasis on speed."
