Mendelssohn departed Ballydoyle Stables in Tipperary on Monday and was expected on the grounds at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky at approximately 5.30pm local time.

(It was reported by local press on Monday evening that the flight carrying Mendelssohn was diverted from Louisville to Indianapolis due to an administrative issue. Mendelssohn was transported by horsebox on the 115-mile journey to Louisville but the diversion added almost five hours in total to his transport time.)