Coolmore
Libertango (2f No Nay Never - Ein Gedi, by Oasis Dream) continued an excellent year for her sire with a scintillating victory in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Friday. The George Boughey-trained filly had landed the Group 2 Lowther Stakes and Group 3 Albany Stakes this campaign and was most recently second in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes to Sun Goddess (by Sioux Nation). Ridden by Billy Loughnane after a last-minute change of rider, Libertango settled behind the strong early pace, chasing the leaders turning into the home straight and powering on to gain a length-and-a-quarter success. Loughnane said: “I don't know what to say. I've ridden this filly in every single race and in every piece of work she's ever done and I thought I was going to have to give up the ride on her today. “I've watched my weight for the last two weeks, obviously condolences to Flavien [Prat], but I managed to just get enough off in the sauna and I'm sat on the smallest saddle I've ever ridden on. It's good to be able to get the weight off. “It was awful thinking someone else was going to ride her but big thanks to George and all the team, it was literally 45 minutes before the race it was confirmed. “She has such a good racing brain, she went to sleep. There was interference on the turn but she didn't even break stride and when I moved her out she hit the wire fantastic.” Boughey added: “The race looked mapped out for her, even from Royal Ascot. That was the plan to come here and for her to train as well as she did through the last few races, it wasn't a huge surprise she was able to put in a performance like that today.” Libertango was bred by Lynch Bages and Camas Park Stud.