Recent French group 1 winner Friendly Soul is to miss the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), for which she would have likely been among the favorites.
The 3-year-old, last seen winning the Prix de l’Opera (G1) at Longchamp on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) undercard Oct. 6, will not form part of the John and Thady Gosden team for California this year but could well do so in 2025.
However, the Clarehaven team will be represented by Emily Upjohn and Running Lion at Del Mar, where the Breeders’ Cup hasn’t been staged since 2021.
The form of Emily Upjohn’s most recent third in the Prix Vermeille (G1) at Longchamp Sept. 15 could not have worked out any better as she was preceded by the subsequent Arc one-two Bluestocking and Aventure .
John Gosden said: “We wanted Emily Upjohn to go to the Breeders’ Cup fresh, so we decided to miss the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with her, and she’s had a nice break since the Vermeille.
“That form turned out to be ‘the form’ if you like behind the subsequent Arc winner and runner-up and we feel that Del Mar will play to her strengths. She enjoys quick ground, which you usually get at Del Mar, and we are looking forward to taking her out there.
Emily Upjohn is being considered for either the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) or the $2 million Filly and Mare Turf.
Running Lion, who won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot in June, was last seen finishing second to Friendly Soul in the Prix de l’Opera. She is pointed to the Filly and Mare Turf.
On Friendly Soul, the trainer added: “Friendly Soul is finished for this year but she’s only a 3-year-old, so hopefully she can have a nice campaign next year.”
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