THE Arlington Million was one of the first truly international races, inaugurated in 1981 and won by the likes of Tolomeo and Teleprompter in its early days, back when a million dollars was something to make a fuss about. It has continued to be a good hunting ground for Irish and British raiders but they drew a blank this year, in both the main event and the supporting races.

Century Dream (demoted a place from third) came closest in the Million and the Dermot Weld-trained Bandua (also third) in the Secretariat Stakes, without either running better than they had previously. The time of the Secretariat was pretty good, the Arlington Million less so, but neither winner looks especially likely to prevail against a much stronger European contingent come Breeders’ Cup time.