Two of the world’s best horses will compete at Keeneland on Saturday night with the world title on the line – but they will not be racing each other.
Within the space of 45 minutes, Europe’s leading colt Golden Horn will have one last roll of the dice in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Ranked as the world’s second-best colt, he will then be upstaged by American Pharoah, the Triple Crown winner who bids to set a precedent by tacking on the Breeders’ Cup Classic to his wins in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
It will be the last time the world sees both on a racecourse. American Pharoah will not return to Bob Baffert’s southern California base but will be transferred to Ashford Stud in Versailles to begin his stallion duties.
Golden Horn has been snapped up by Darley, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.
It will be a moving day for Baffert. “I feel like his father, so I want to make sure he goes out there and puts on a good performance,” Baffert told reporters of his departing champion.
“It will be sad. It’s going to be emotional. It started hitting me about a month ago, and it hits me when we talk about it. He’s been terrific to me.
“Just watching him train now is emotional because I’ve never had a horse that looked like him. He’s like a pet.”
The careers of both colts have followed a similar trajectory ever since they both showed their brilliance in different ways on the first Saturday in June. Golden Horn won the Derby in a scintillating time, while American Pharoah toughed it out to beat Firing Line.
Since then, both have been exposed as less than perfect.
Golden Horn succumbed to Arabian Queen in the Juddmonte International due to a poor ride from Frankie Dettori, while American Pharoah and Frosted completed together the fastest final half a mile in Travers Stakes history in August before Keen Ice came and picked up the pieces.
The way the world rankings are compiled means that American Pharoah is almost certainly going to bow out as the world’s best.
The US$5million (Dh18.36m) Classic boasts a deep field, even without dual Breeders’ Cup winner Beholder, who was scratched on Thursday. Keen Ice and Frosted lie in wait again, while dual Guineas winner Gleneagles makes for an intriguing runner on what will be his first try over 2,000 metres on dirt.
In contrast, Golden Horn’s main obstacle is the conditions, after heavy rain all week has rendered the turf course less than suitable for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner.
Golden Horn would have to run away with the Turf from chief rival Found in order to have a chance of overhauling American Pharoah in the world standings.
It would not be impossible, and although this will be Golden Horn’s eighth race this season, like American Pharoah, he has displayed an appetite for racing worthy of a true champion.
“I’m not feeling nervous,” owner Anthony Oppenheimer said. “Whatever happens, it’s his last run and it is tremendously exciting.
“I have to say the horse looks absolutely magnificent – his coat really is gleaming.
“The plane journey didn’t bother him one bit. To him it was almost like sitting in a field.
“He’s a couple of kilos heavier than he was for the Arc, which is remarkable, and he’s up to his old tricks, which is a good sign.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE