Global Weekly Review: Epic races at memorable B.C. and Melbourne’s fantastic finale

When the Breeders' Cup was inaugurated in 1984, the creators of the concept had in mind a racing extravaganza that showcased the very best the sport had to offer in the United States, in both equine and human endeavour.

It is fair to say after a gripping 33rd staging of the event, at Santa Anita on Saturday that the dreams have been realised, and in some areas, surpassed. Quite simply, it was a brilliant day's racing....or, should I say, a brilliant two days' racing.

For, late on Friday, as a delicious starter to the meeting, two of the greatest equine females of modern times, Beholder and Songbird, fought a tooth-and-nail home stretch duel to the G1 Breeders' Cup Distaff that will live long in the memory.

To the crescendo of crowd support worthy of a Derby, six-year-old Beholder, with Gary Stevens aboard, had the edge on the line over hitherto unbeaten three-year-old Songbird, partnered by Mike Smith - by a nose. An enlargement of the picture showed the margin to have been half a flared nostril.

Beholder went off into retirement as the winner of 18 races from 26 starts, earning a send-off befitting a true champion. Songbird, now 11 from 12, will race on, having already established a reputation that places her in the elite, and having lost nothing in this narrow defeat.

After that, there was a very real danger the big day itself could have been an anti-climax. Not so, thanks to a G1 Breeders' Cup Classic that lived up to all its hype.

California Chrome, already the biggest prizemoney winner in the history of the sport, set this race up to be remembered as an epic. Taking the true stance of a champion squaring up to his opponent, he took up the running under Victor Espinoza.

Where were the others, he might have asked? Mike Smith, on Arrogate, was poised and held up behind, contrary to the tactics many thought would be employed. Having drawn the outside in gate 10, many felt Smith would feel obligated to fire Arrogate into the lead up the home stretch the first time.

California Chrome dug deep for the inevitable final-furlong slug-out, but three-year-old Arrogate was too strong in the finish. Two great horses, and a race that will long be recalled.

Kiaran McLaughlin reported on Sunday that Godolphin's Frosted (6th) had come out of the race OK.

"Praise to the first two, they are great horses," he added.

Also, on Saturday, the VRC Melbourne Cup Carnival concluded with the fourth day dominated by the wins of Awesome Rock in the G1 Emirates Stakes and Godolphin's Francis Of Assisi in the G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.

Francis Of Assisi was earning his place in next year's G1 Melbourne Cup with an emphatic 10-length victory that stunned the locals. He will now return to Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket (UK) before being prepared for his 2017 campaign.