Aidan O'Brien and Mick Kinane finally broke their duck at the Breeders' Cup when Johannesburg put up a tremendous performance to land the Juvenile in New York this evening. Their three-time Group One winner on turf in Europe took to the dirt like a natural and defied doubters who feared the extended one-mile trip would be his downfall.
He was always travelling strongly and quickened round the outside of the field to lead inside the final furlong for a comfortable length-and-a-quarter win over Repent. Highly-touted home challenger Officer became the sixth successive beaten Breeders' Cup favourite as he came home fifth. Kinane said of the winner: "He has been a champion every step of the way through the year. We always thought he was made for the dirt and he's proved it today."
O'Brien added: "He's always been a serious horse from day one - just pure natural ability." Johannesburg is now 3-1 favourite for next year's Kentucky Derby with Ladbrokes, who quote him at 2-1 with a run for the 2000 Guineas.
French filly Banks Hill earlier claimed the first European win with a highly impressive win in the Filly & Mare Turf.
Filed by Shane Murray
