GODOLPHIN provided both European-trained winners on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup card courtesy of memorable performances from Talismanic and Wuheida.

Talismanic was largely overlooked in the Turf, despite being trained by Andre Fabre who had won the race twice before and whose Breeders’ Cup record is exceptional.

Jockey Mickael Barazlona was having his first ride at the meeting and tucked his mount in on the rail, just behind Highland Reel who was tracking the front-running Oscar Performance.

Las year’s winner Highland Reel came under pressure around the second last turn as Beach Patrol struck for home. But Talismanic found plenty when switched out by Barazlona and stayed on strongly to win by half a length from Beach Patrol. The game Highland Reel kept on for third, beaten only by a length.

Godolphin CEO Joe Osborne said: “Talismanic is trained by a master. The horse’s last run behind Dschingis Secret and Cloth Of Stars was very good, and this horse was peaking at the right time.”

Barzalona said: "I'm very pleased. He's a star at home and everybody loves him. He's very easy to ride. "He (Fabre) is a master, I have to thank him."

O'Brien said Highland Reel could potentially run again before retiring to stud: "I think he ran a very good race, we will take him home now and see how he is and think about going to Hong Kong with him."

The unplaced Decorated Knight will head for stallion duties after what has been a glittering season, one in which he has won the Jebel Hatta in Dubai, the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

His trainer Roger Charlton said: "It's been a long year, and he has been on the go since February and I think it showed. He was very much on his toes in the paddock and got quite warm in the preliminaries.

"An announcement is forthcoming, but he will go to stud now. He's been a great servant, he's won a million pounds and you can't complain about that."

BUICK'S FIRST WIN

Wuheida struck in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar on Saturday night for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.

Buick - riding his first Breeders' Cup winner - had his mount handy in third going into the first turn and got a great response from the Godolphin-owned three-year-old in the straight.

In contrast, Frankie Dettori found himself looking for room on the strong-travelling Queen's Trust as Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old made her bid to repeat last year's success.

She finished with a real rattle but all too late, and it was the Aidan O'Brien-trained Rhododendron who proved the main threat to the winner.

Buick said: "I can't explain it, it means everything to me. I've had plenty of goes and not been successful, so it means everything.

"It's a big team effort - a big thank you to everyone at home."

He added: "Charlie targeted this race for her from a long way out. He is a great trainer and gives me lots of confidence."

Appleby said: "I knew I had the filly in good order, and she has pleased me through the week. Running to the first turn I knew she was in the right position and William gave her a peach of a ride.

"It's great for my team, who have worked so hard, and His Highness (Sheikh Mohammed) for letting me bring her here."

Asked if the winner would stay in training, Appleby said: "She's obviously a very valuable filly now, so we will talk to Sheikh Mohammed about that."

O'Brien refused to blame Rhododendron's draw in stall 14 for defeat, saying: "No, there wasn't an advantage. She's run very well and I'm delighted with that. There are no excuses."

The race was run over a furlong shorter than 12 months ago and Stoute said of Queen's Trust: "She's run really well and was flying at the death, but we always knew the step back in distance would be a problem."

Hot favourite Lady Eli pulled hard in the early stages and, after meeting trouble in running, finished unplaced. She is due to be sold at Keeneland next week.

FULL BREEDERS' CUP COVERAGE & ANALYSIS IN THE IRISH FIELD NEXT WEEK