GUN RUNNER sealed Horse of the Year status in America with an all-the-way win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Saturday night.

Gun Runner wins the @BreedersCup Classic! #BC17 pic.twitter.com/HCjMh9Gvzr

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 5, 2017

The four-year-old has spent much of his career in the shadow of Arrogate but three wide-margin wins this summer for the Steve Asmussen-trained son of Candy Ride saw him sent off the 2/1 joint-favourite for the Classic with his great rival.

Arrogate, beaten on his two previous starts, failed to capitalise on his number one draw here as Gun Runner broke well and was soon in front under jockey Florent Geroux.

Collected pressed Gun Runner around the final bend but could not sustain his challenge as the leader ran on strongly for a decisive victory. West Coast took third and Arrogate was fifth.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained pair Churchill and War Decree were never seriously involved.