BloodHorse workers members lately chosen their favourite races of 2024. Over the subsequent few days, with a Christmas break pause, we’ll rely down these prime 10 races.
The countdown begins with race No. 10, the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T), Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
The way it performed out
One of many prime worldwide turf stars of the previous few years once more was showcased within the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) as Godolphin’s Insurgent’s Romance posted a neck victory.
The 9-5 favourite within the 1 1/2-mile turf check, Insurgent’s Romance resurrected recollections of his 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf heroics as he captured America’s premier turf race for the second time in three years.
Whereas Insurgent’s Romance’s victory was hardly surprising, it arrived with a dose of drama on the wire. The 6-year-old gelding appeared to have a win locked up when he surged to a 3 1/2-length lead in midstretch, however that lock could be rattled. Japan’s Rousham Park raced final within the area of 13 after the opening mile, however closed with gusto to make issues fairly fascinating earlier than the wire popped and Insurgent’s Romance prevailed by a diminishing neck.Join BloodHorse Each day
The victory added extra glitter to the sterling document and star energy the gelding has constructed for himself. A stakes winner in Germany, Hong Kong, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Nice Britain, and the US, the homebred son of Dubawi has prevailed in 15 of twenty-two begins with earnings of $11,777,574.
Quotable
Byron King, BloodHorse information editor: “The Breeders’ Cup Turf is the very best grass race in North America, although it lacked American star energy which explains why it was solely No. 10. It deserves point out among the many prime races of the 12 months since Insurgent’s Romance, who received the race in 2022, recorded a second victory within the race and it provided a global area with a Japanese horse ending a top quality second.”
Impression
Very like 2022, the victory won’t be sufficient to earn the champion male turf Eclipse Award for Insurgent’s Romance because it was his lone U.S. begin of the 12 months. However, some subpar efforts by prime American hopefuls on this division—Far Bridge , Carl Spackler , and Cogburn  —may sway some voters towards him.
Notable
Educated by Charlie Appleby, Insurgent’s Romance is the primary horse to win the Turf twice with out doing it in consecutive years … He continues Europe’s dominance of the Turf as European-based runners have received 5 straight editions of the race and 9 of the previous 10.
