Zoustar’s Starlust springs surprise in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
Less than four weeks after their memorable success with Bluestocking (Camelot) in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m), Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan enjoyed more big-race glory when the pair joined forces with Starlust (Zoustar) to land a shock victory in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.
Held up in the rear, the three-year-old colt came with a daring late run up the rails under Ryan to score by a neck and a nose from Motorius (Muhaarar) and Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy).
In doing so, Starlust provided his rider with a first Breeders’ Cup winner and his trainer with a second, some 16 years after Muhannak (Chester House) landed the now defunct Breeders’ Cup Marathon (12f).
“What a ride he gave it,” said Beckett, whose overdue celebrations were delayed after the rider of the unplaced Isivunguvungu (What A Winter) launched an unsuccessful objection having been squeezed out in the last 50 yards.
“I said just before he left the paddock, ‘Don’t be afraid to go burrowing along the rail, because they will fan out.’ It’s extraordinary and I’m really pleased for [owners] Jim and Fitri Hay, who are big supporters of the game.
“He’s a really tough horse and that shone through. He’s not had a break all year and has been at it since Dubai in March. He had a tough trip in the Abbaye but today he was very good. Rossa gets better by the month and today he was at his very best.”
While Beckett and the Hays were left with an anxious wait, Ryan never thought the outcome was in doubt.
“It worked out beautifully,” said the winning rider. “They went very hard and when I turned in it opened up down the rail, which I’ve gone for. I’ve slightly come off the rail and gone to challenge Irad [Ortiz jnr, on Cogburn], who is on my inside.
“The gap was there for me and, the way I see it, Irad came out on top of me which caused interference outside of me. It’s shifted my horse off balance, but he’s so gutsy and determined, he’s gone through with it no problem. He’s tough and hardy.”
Tough and hardy Starlust may be, He is also now an elite-level winner, which, added to a Listed and Group 3 success in Europe, takes his career record to six wins and six places from 18 starts.
After leading for much of the contest, Cogburn, who will stand alongside Starlust’s sire Zoustar at Widden Stud in 2025, faded inside the final 50 yards, crossing the line in fifth, a length and a half adrift of the winner.