Ethical Diamond Wins Breeders Cup Turf, Mullins Earns First Cup

From Del Mar on Saturday, Ethical Diamond produced a late rally to win the $5 million Breeders Cup Turf, giving Irish trainer Willie Mullins his first Breeders Cup victory. Ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, Ethical Diamond came from well back after breaking wide from the outside post to collar two-time Turf winner Rebels Romance in the final furlong and win by about 1 1/4 lengths in a track record time of 2:25.45 on firm turf.

The 5-year-old gelding, trained at Mullins’ base in County Carlow, settled near the rear of the 12-horse field and moved wide into contention turning for home. McMonagle guided him down the center of the course to overtake Rebels Romance, with El Cordobés finishing third, Amiloc fourth and Gold Phoenix fifth. Post-time favorite Minnie Hauk, second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last month, finished sixth.

Ethical Diamond’s victory capped a rapid rise on the flat for a horse that spent much of his early career over hurdles. The gelding has now won three consecutive races, including the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and the Ebor Handicap at York in August. Saturday marked his first graded or group stakes start on the flat and Mullins’...