Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini produced a devastating turn of foot under Ryan Moore to win the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland on Saturday.
The three-year-old colt was the only European-trained winner on the card and the third for Moore and Aidan O'Brien over the weekend, following a double here on Friday.
Moore's decision to ride Benvenuto Cellini ahead of stable companion Diamond Necklace was a surprise to many as the filly had finished third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe while the colt was only ninth.
Indeed, it looked like Diamond Necklace would win the Turf when she was produced to challenge for the lead inside the final furlong by Christophe Soumillon but Moore was just about to find a gap on Benvenuto Cellini and the colt showed a remarkable burst of speed to lead in the closing strides and win by a length.
Map Of Stars came from last to be second, with Diamond Necklace third.
WHAT A RIDE! ??
Benvenuto Cellini soars late to land the Longines @BreedersCup Turf! ??????
#BC26 https://t.co/3nNZp9xVOT
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 31, 2026
Benvenuto Cellini is by Frankel out of Newspaperofrecord, who herself dazzled at the Breeders’ Cup in 2018.
O’Brien was winning the Turf for a record-extending eighth time while Moore has now this $5 million race a record six times.
???"We always felt he was a horse for this race"
Aidan O'Brien reacts to Benvenuto Cellini's victory in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf! ?? https://t.co/L6b8seKBoL
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 31, 2026


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