Europe suffers first Breeders’ Cup whitewash since ’98

Even before George Washington’s death at Monmouth Park on Saturday night there had been little cheer for the Irish or British raiders from a Breeders’ Cup card that produced 11 American winners out of 11.

The Europeans suffered a first Breeders’ Cup whitewash since 1998 as Preakness Stakes winner Curlin took the $5m Classic in front of 41,781 racegoers at the New Jersey racetrack and Aidan O’Brien’s pre-race favourites Dylan Thomas and Excellent Art were outdone by the home runners.

The rain that had besieged the Jersey shore since late on Thursday did little to dampen American spirits but for those crossing the Atlantic, the 2007 Breeders’ Cup will be remembered as a wet, cold and altogether miserable weekend, much like a bad day on the prom at Tramore.