Ethical Diamond won the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Saturday, giving Ireland’s 19-time champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins a stunning first Breeders’ Cup winner and denying Rebel’s Romance a treble.The 25-1 shot roared past his Group One-winning rivals, sealing the victory in the final furlong.
Rebel’s Romance, trained by Britain’s Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, was second, missing out on an unprecedented third victory in the race after wins in 2022 and last year.
Appleby’s El Cordobes was third as odds-on favorite Minnie Hauk, winner of three Group One races in a five-race win streak this year, faded to sixth.
Mullins himself could barely believe it. The trainer said winning the Grand National with his son Patrick riding remained his greatest achievement but “this might come second-best.”
