Ghostzapper blazed to a memorable victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Lone Star Park last night on a day when it was left to Ouija Board and Wilko, the only two English-trained horses, to rescue the European cause.
Honours ended 6-2 to the US after the eight-race extravaganza played out in the Texan sunshine in front of crowd of over 53,000.
A year ago at Santa Anita in California, Europe lifted three races but a 10-strong Irish and French contingent drew a blank this time round.
The Europeans had to wait until the fifth race when dual Oaks winner Ouija Board produced a smooth performance under Kieren Fallon to land the Filly and Mare race contested on turf.
The victory was no great surprise but few had predicted the success of Wilko in the following race, the Juvenile for two-year-colts.
It was the Classic, however, that was to provide the most stunning fare with Ghostzapper, a 5-2 chance, and jockey Javier Castellano galloping their 12 rivals into submission.
The son of Awesome Again had three lengths to spare at the line over Roses in May with last year's winner Pleasantly Perfect another four lengths away.
Trailing in their wake were Belmont and Travers Stakes winner Birdstone, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Funny Cide and champion mare Azeri.
The opening Distaff race went to 2-1 favourite Ashado under jockey John Velazquez who came home with a comfortable one and quarter lengths to spare.
There was more disappointment for Europe in the Juvenile Fillies race when Irish raider Mona Lisa finished 11th of 12 to impressive US winner Sweet Catomine.
But the biggest setback came in the Mile, raced over turf and a happy hunting ground over the years for the Europeans.
The race was won by 16-1 outsider Singletary, ridden by David Flores, who held off the late flourish of Antonius Pius, one of the Irish contingent sent by Aidan O'Brien, and Six Perfections, who won the race last year.
Antonius Pius might have gone much closer but for swerving in the straight, a repeat of a manoeuvre earlier this year which cost the colt victory in the French 2,000 Guineas.
In the Turf race, stewards deliberated for over five minutes on whether 28-1 outsider Better Talk Now had caused enough interference to warrant demotion but the result was allowed to stand to the relief of jockey Ramon Dominguez and English-born trainer Graham Motion.
Reuters