This Friday and Saturday plays host to the 2022 Breeders' Cup from Keeneland (USA). The G1 Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) was part of the "Win, and you're in Breeders' Cup Challenge Series" alongside the G1 Prix Morny (1200m) and multiple races from ARC weekend at Longchamp. We look at the French challengers and form lines for the two-day showpiece.
France and French form is well-represented at this year's Breeders Cup with runners in most of the major races. On Friday, Prix de l'Abbaye (G1) winner The Platinum Queen returns to her own age group in the Breeders's Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint for British trainer Richard Fahey. She will be a strong favourite after her hard-fought victory against the top European sprinters at Longchamp in early October. Her main market rival is the Wesley Ward-trained Love Reigns who has subsequently won at Saratoga since her fourth in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot (UK).
Fellow juvenile Manhattan Jungle takes a step up in trip for the first time in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). British trainer Amy Murphy has taken advantage of the excellent prize money on offer in France throughout the season, winning a Listed race with the filly before taking on the best of the juvenile sprinters when second in the Prix de Cabourg (G3). The mile is an unknown for Manhattan Jungle but she is capable at the top level.
Highfield Princess has to be a contender for Horse of the Year after securing three Group One events in five weeks. These wins included the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) at Deauville before taking the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York (UK) ahead of the aforementioned The Platinum Queen. She will take on American speedster Golden Pal in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
On Saturday, the top milers clash in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). The Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) hero Modern Games heads the market with the Charlie Appleby-trained colt enjoying a successful season despite not winning in Britain. After a second behind Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes (G1), Modern Games recorded an eye-catching success in the Woodbine Mile (G1) before returning to the UK for a second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot (UK). He has been very consistent throughout the season and could be a difficult horse to beat with previous experience round a bend.
Dreamloper represents the older horses holding French form winning the Prix du Moulin (G1) at Longchamp in September. She was an impressive five and a half-length victor up against former Breeders' Cup winner Order of Australia and previously won the Prix d'Ispahan (G1) earlier in the year. The five-year-old remains inconsistent at the top level over a mile but is clearly capable on her best day.
