Bago ruled out of Breeders’ Cup Classic
The Jonathan Pease-trained colt, winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe earlier this month, had been originally set for a showdown with 2003 Classic victor Pleasantly Perfect in this year's renewal of the 10-furlong contest, held at Lone Star Park, Texas.
Alan Cooper, racing manager to owner the Niarchos family told the Racing Post: "We have decided to bypass the Breeders' Cup as Bago will stay in training as a four-year-old.
"Bago's objectives during the early part of the season will be European races around 10 furlongs like the Prix Ganay, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and the Eclipse. Later we will be looking at events like the King George at Newbury before another attempt to win the Arc. Then it could be a Breeders' Cup race at Belmont Park."
The colt's trainer Jonathan Pease added: "I am naturally delighted that Bago stays in training in 2005. It is a very sporting decision as things can go wrong and it is going to be a very great challenge.
"Bago is very well and I am looking forward to next year."
Meanwhile, Mamool is set to begin a globetrotting few weeks for the Godolphin operation when he travels to Italy this weekend.
The five-year-old is entered in a Group One event in Milan on the same day that two of his stablemates head to Australia for a crack at the Melbourne Cup.
The son of In The Wings is set to contest the Gran Premio del Jockey Club, which will be his first start since trailing home 15th in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
"Mamool worked over six furlongs on Tuesday and he is entered in Italy next Sunday," trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said today.
"Our two Australian horses Razkalla and Fantastic Love both worked and are in good form ahead of going out on Sunday."
Mamool may yet join his stablemates in a bid to atone for his run in the Australian showpiece last year.
Frankie Dettori's mount finished last in the two-mile contest after suffering a leg injury during the race, for which he was sent off the 11-2 favourite.
"Mamool is also entered in the Melbourne Cup and he may go there. We will see what the boss wants to do," added the trainer.
Godolphin have announced that they have added to their powerful team by purchasing Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Cherry Mix.
The son of Linamix was beaten just half a length by Bago in the Longchamp showpiece on October 3, quickening clear in the final two furlongs before being hauled in close home.
He had won his previous two races, the Grand Prix de Deauville and the Prix Frederic de Lagrange at Vichy.
According to www.godolphin.com, Cherry Mix will winter in Dubai, with a provisional target being the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba on March 26.
The three-year-old colt, trained at Chantilly by Andre Fabre, had previously been owned by the Lagardere family.
