With the Breeders’ Cup coming up in the next couple days, Claiborne connections are represented in seven of the 14 contests during the championship event.
| Horse | Race | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Art Collector | Dirt Mile | Raised by Claiborne for owner/breeder Bruce Lunsford |
| Battleground | Juvenile Turf | by Claiborne sire WAR FRONT |
| Blame the Booze | Juvenile Turf Sprint (AE) | by Claiborne sire BLAME |
| Bombard | Turf Sprint | by Claiborne sire WAR FRONT, raised by Claiborne for owner/breeder Raydelz Stable |
| Civil Union | F&M Turf | by Claiborne sire WAR FRONT, raised by Claiborne for owner/breeder Joseph Allen |
| Halladay | Mile | by Claiborne sire WAR FRONT |
| Plum Ali | Juvenile Fillies | by Claiborne sire FIRST SAMURAI |
| Sharp Samurai | Dirt Mile | by Claiborne sire FIRST SAMURAI |
| War of Will | Dirt Mile | by Claiborne sire WAR FRONT, new to Claiborne stallion roster in 2021 |
Starting with future stars Friday, Claiborne stallions WAR FRONT, BLAME, and FIRST SAMURAI all have talented juveniles on the card.
WAR FRONT‘s Battleground, a Grade 2 winner at Goodwood and Royal Ascot victor, will compete in the Juvenile Turf (G1). The Ballydoyle invader – trained by Aiden O’Brien and to be ridden by Ryan Moore – is owned by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mr. & Mrs. John Magnier. Regally bred, Battleground is the first foal out of the globe-trotting multiple Grade 1 winner Found (IRE), whose victories include the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
The undefeated 2-year-old Plum Ali (FIRST SAMURAI) is set to contest the Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). An emerging star from the barn of Christophe Clement, the filly has strung together three victories – most recently the Miss Grillo (G3) at Belmont – and has amassed over $400,000 in earnings. The morning line 4-1 second choice in a full field of 14 contestants, she will be representing owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables.
On Saturday, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) will host three connections of Claiborne, future stallion War of Will (WAR FRONT), Sharp Samurai (FIRST SAMURAI), and Art Collector – who was raised at Claiborne for owner/breeder Bruce Lunsford.
WAR FRONT also has three more Breeders’ Cup starters on the day. Grade 1 winner Civil Union will contest the Filly and Mare Turf (G1), Grade 1 winner Halladay in the Mile (G1) on turf, and Claiborne-raised Bombard in the Turf Sprint for owner/breeder Raydelz Stable.
Good luck to all connections in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup championships!