Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario will ride David Loughnane’s Anshoda at Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup next month. The promising daughter of Inns Of Court was purchased by Team Valor and Gary Barber following a notable second place in the Star Stakes at Sandown, building on her surprising debut victory at Lingfield.
Anshoda then triumphed in the Group Three Prestige Stakes at Goodwood for her new owners, despite a disappointing finish in the May Hill at Doncaster, where connections believe there were valid reasons for her performance. She remains set to compete on November 1, aiming to make a mark on the international stage.
This will be Team Valor and Barber’s sole entry in the prestigious event, and they have enlisted the seasoned Rosario, a renowned figure with several Breeders’ Cup wins, to pilot Anshoda in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Barry Irwin, Team Valor's CEO, remarked, “It’s going to be a very competitive race. Anshoda performed well on varying ground conditions, but we’re uncertain what to expect at Del Mar.”
Irwin noted that during her last race at Doncaster, Anshoda found herself in an unfavourable position at the lead, a scenario not typical for her racing style. “She prefers to come from behind with a strong finish,” he explained. A successful outing will depend on factors like the draw and her adaptability on the track, which resembles an American “bullring.”