THE $3 million colt Mendelssohn gave Ireland a Breeders’ Cup success on Friday night when the Aidan O’Brien-trained two-year-old won the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar under jockey Ryan Moore.

A 50/1 chance when runner-up in the Dewhurst Stakes to stable companion U S Navy Flag last month, Mendelssohn was sent off the favourite for this 14-runner one-mile turf race. Breaking from the inside stall, the Irish horse was always travelling well just behind the leaders and, once switched out for a clear run in the straight, he soon strode clear and ran on well for a one-and-a-half-length win.

Gordon Elliott's Beckford was last coming out of the back straight before finishing with a rattle and only just missing out on the places. The British raiders Masar, James Garfield and Rajasinghe never featured, while compatriot Sands Of Mali faded after making the early running.

O'Brien, winning his 27th top-level race of the year, said: "He progressed with every run and his level of progression was so good we were afraid to turn him off. He was still a little green and he'd been getting better all the time. It was brilliant, he's stepped up again today so it's marvellous.

"It's been a big team effort and we're just a small part. We're so grateful to everybody and we're privileged to be here."

Moore said: “He shouldn't have been 50/1 last time, he's a beautiful horse but he's just been a bit backward. The time before the Dewhurst he knocked himself coming out of the stalls, he's a very talented horse.

"Everything went our way today. He's been a bit slow mentally but he was professional today but even when he hit the front he wasn't sure what to do. It went well, we had a good draw but it went smoothly because he has the talent to do that.

"I've always thought he was a good horse, especially since the Dewhurst, and although he was stargazing in front, I always felt there was something left in the tank."

Gordon Elliott said of Beckford: "He's run a very good race to get into the money."

George Scott said of James Garfield: "It's such a tight track and we got wiped out early on and were then running into the back of horses but that's the name of the game."

William Buick said of Masar: "I was an unlucky loser, he pecked and the stirrup slipped, he finished very strongly. I've never known that happen in my career. I think he would have won."

A Scat Daddy half-brother to top US dirt racemare Beholder, Mendelssohn is already being talked about as a Kentucky Derby contender.

BEATEN FAVOURITE

Mendelssohn’s success was compensation for the poor showing of stable companion Happily in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf earlier. That dual Group 1 winner was sent off favourite too but started slowly along with stable companion September, who rallied late to finish third behind the Chad Brown-trained Rushing Fall.

The feature race on Friday night at Del Mar was the Distaff, which saw the five-year-old Forever Unbridled gamely hold off this year’s Kentucky Oaks winner Abel Tasman.

Earlier, the Dirt Mile was won by Kentucky Derby third Battle Of Midway, who outgunned the front-running Sharp Azteca in the closing stages.

Nine more Breeders’ Cup races will be staged at Del Mar on Saturday evening and more European success is anticipated.

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