With Magical ruled out Ballydoyle’s biggest Breeders’ Cup hope could be the Epsom Derby winner in the Turf at Santa Anita
Only one trainer on either side of the Atlantic has had more runners at the Breeders’ Cup than Aidan O’Brien over the years, and the Irishman has had his share of good luck and bad. But he will head into this year’s edition on Friday having suffered a series of setbacks before a single runner has even seen a starting stall. Magical, his obvious team leader, was ruled out a few days ago and Monday’s draw was also unkind to many of his entries, leaving Anthony Van Dyck, the Derby winner, as possibly his best chance of a 13th Breeders’ Cup winner this weekend.
Related: Talking Horses: Appleby banks on Old Persian for shot at Breeders’ Cup Turf