New Century Aims for Breeders' Cup Glory with Balding

New Century is gearing up for a shot at victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar next month. The Kameko colt, already a Grade One winner after securing the Summer Stakes at Woodbine in Canada, is looking to break new ground for trainer Andrew Balding, who has yet to score a win at the Breeders' Cup.

Balding is optimistic about New Century's chances, saying, "He’s got a great constitution and has handled everything smoothly, from winning in Canada to preparing for the Breeders’ Cup. He’s been doing very well since returning."

Despite his current impressive form, New Century didn’t initially stand out in training. "When he first arrived, I wasn’t overly impressed until his fifth or sixth workout. But he’s a fast learner and has become a fantastic competitor," Balding added.

While Balding admits that Del Mar might not be the perfect track for the colt, he remains confident, acknowledging that a bit of luck with the draw will be key. "This is the Breeders’ Cup, a $1 million Grade One race, so we’re going for it. He’s handled international travel well."

Jockey Oisin Murphy is also excited about the opportunity, hoping to add to his sole Breeders' Cup victory in 2021. "New Century is compact with a great mentality, improving with every run this season. It’s fantastic to have a leading chance, and I’m hoping he can secure my second Breeders' Cup win," said Murphy.