Ouija earns break as Japan is ruled out
The Ed Dunlop-trained filly will return home to Newmarket today, flying via France.
But Dunlop, who left Texas along with Ouija Board's owner Lord Derby today, was able to give a positive bulletin on his charge's condition before his departure.
Confirming that the possibility of taking her to the Japan Cup had now definitely been ruled out, he said: "She is fine this morning, absolutely A1. The pressure was on, but I am just delighted for her. She's the best in the world at her distance, the best female anyway, and that makes me very proud of her.
"She's got a fantastic temperament. I think that's what makes her able to take everything in her stride."
Lord Derby, meanwhile, was still clearly on cloud nine after winning the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf with the only horse he has in training.
"I still can't believe it has happened and that she is a world champion. She is such a star," he beamed.
"I don't want to sound too much like the Oscars, but we are in America now and there are so many people I need to thank.
"She has got the best possible trainer in Ed and the team behind him who have made her what she is people like Chris Hinson, Robin Trevor-Jones and my brother Peter Stanley, who manages the stud."
It is back into the care of Stanley now for Ouija Board, Lord Derby confirmed.
"She's going to have a well-deserved rest and what's incredibly exciting is that we can spend the winter thinking about where we can go and what we can do next season," he said.
"I would think that she will be going for the Summer Triple Crown races."
Looking ahead to next year, Ladbrokes make her an 8-1 chance to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, while Coral offer her at the same price to be successful at the Breeders' Cup again when it moves to Belmont Park.
The Kentucky Derby will be the first aim of the other British winner, Wilko.
His trainer Jeremy Noseda will be returning to the UK without his brave colt, who is transferring to be trained in California.
But Noseda was still in high spirts today about the victory which turned his disappointing season around.
"He is a grinder, he battles hard and I knew he wouldn't give up," he said.
"He ate up every oat last night and he's just a tough, hard-knocking horse.
"Please God he'll go for the Kentucky Derby, but my part of the job is done now. I had a great day which will live in my memory for a long while.
"In a week's time we'll have a hell of a party in Newmarket to celebrate."
Coral make Wilko a 33-1 chance to win the 'Run for the Roses' in Kentucky next year.
Noseda said he felt the experience Wilko had gained of working on Polytrack had helped the dirt-bred colt make a successful switch from turf.
"The Polytrack gallops that we use in Newmarket are a fantastic surface to work on," he said. "I know a Polytrack gallop has already been installed in Keeneland and is being well-received.
"The horses enjoy working on it, they stay sound and I firmly believe that is the best artificial surface in the world."
In other news from the track yesterday, Bobby Frankel confirmed that after consultation with owner Frank Stronach, Classic hero Ghostzapper would not be travelling away from the US for the next 12 months at least.
The four-year-old will stay in training next year after his all-the-way win, but Frankel said: "Japan or Dubai might be a possibility for his last race next season, but not for now.
"He's a dream horse and he might just be a super horse. He'll have the winter off and then we'll look to give him a summer campaign next year."
On the other hand, Classic fifth Azeri whose presence in the line-up attracted so much attention before the race may not be immediately retired to the breeding paddocks, as had been expected.
The mare's trainer D Wayne Lukas commented: "She is due to go to the breeding shed next February but having spoken to Mr Paulson after racing yesterday, I get the impression she might race a couple more times.
"There are one or two more suitable races for her and we've got nothing to lose by running. We certainly have no horse remorse about giving it a go in the Classic. We took a shot and it didn't quite come off, but she seems to have come back very well."
