THINK back to the Breeders’ Cup meeting 24 years ago at Arlington Park in Chicago. One of the most anticipated races of the meeting was the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile.

The overwhelming favourite for the race was the Aidan O’Brien-trained Rock Of Gibraltar, coming on the back of seven straight wins in Group 1 company, and about to sign off on his racing career and join the Coolmore stallion ranks. After he won the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland, O’Brien and his owners chose to supplement Landseer (Danehill) for the race, though the favourite was his nemesis.