Valiant third for Essential Quality in G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic

Essential Quality delivered another courageous performance with a rallying third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar, USA, on Saturday, 6 November.

The Brad Cox-trained colt, chasing an unprecedented treble following victories in the G1 Belmont Stakes and G1 Travers Stakes, was slightly squeezed for room by Knicks Go leaving the stalls and disputed sixth on the inside rail after the first quarter-mile.

Last season’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victor was pushed along by Luis Saez to maintain his position down the back before moving up to fifth rounding the home turn.

Essential Quality went fourth at the top of the straight and stayed on gamely after being switched out passing the furlong-pole, getting the better of Hot Rod Charlie for third in the closing strides.

Brad Cox said: “Essential Quality stayed on and ran well. I’m hopeful that is worthy of a championship honour for him. He has been running all year. I thought he was the leader in the clubhouse and hopefully that was enough to get him a Three-Year-Old Eclipse Championship.”