by Pete Denk
Following Conduit’s (Ire) victory in the Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes (Eng-G1) at Doncaster on September 13, plans initially called for the three-year-old Dalakhani colt to be retired or rested until 2009.
But trainer Sir Michael Stoute informed owner-breeder Ballymacoll Stud that the colt was doing so well the expense of a trip to Santa Anita Park for the $2,926,620 Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) might be worthwhile.
Conduit made that decision pay off on Saturday with a decisive 1 1/2-length victory over runner-up Eagle Mountain (GB).
“He’s progressing all the time. He keeps getting better,” Stoute said following the victory. “He’s a beautifully balanced horse with a good turn of foot, and he keeps getting better. It’s a pleasure to have him.
“Our first reaction after he pulled up after the Leger was, 'That’s enough for the year,' but he was telling me, ‘No, I’m not ready to do that yet.’ We’re delighted.”
Eagle Mountain was 2 1/4 lengths clear of Dancing Forever, who outfinished 8-to-5 favorite Soldier of Fortune (Ire) for third.
Conduit covered 1 1/2 miles in a stakes record 2:23.42 on firm turf.
Soldier of Fortune, who had common ownership interests with pacesetter Red Rock Canyon (Ire), raced directly behind his stablemate through six furlongs in 1:10.20 and a mile in 1:33.86.
Conduit was seventh turning for home. Eagle Mountain got the jump on him but was not able to stay with the winner late.
Eagle Mountain was making his second start for owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum and trainer Michael de Kock, who acquired the Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) colt from a Coolmore Stud partnership.
“I think everything went to plan for us—no complaints. We were beaten by a great horse on the day. He outstayed us. There’s no doubt about it,” de Kock said. “I’m very proud of what happened. We’ve got a big future with this horse.”
Conduit, who is out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Well Head, improved his career record to five wins in nine starts with earnings of $2,486,379.
For a video replay of the Breeders' Cup Turf, click here.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times