Perfect ride for Bailey in Breeders' Cup

Top American rider Jerry Bailey will take over from Thierry Thulliez on Six Perfections in the Breeders’ Cup Mile later this month.

Thulliez has ridden the Pascal Bary-trained filly on eight of her nine starts including her last race when she won the Prix Jacques Le Marois.

However, he came in for criticism after encountering traffic problems when second in the 1000 Guineas and he subsequently lost the ride in the Irish equivalent to Johnny Murtagh.

Thulliez regained the mount though as Murtagh fared no better and also finished second in the Curragh Classic.

The French rider guided Domedriver to a win in the Breeders’ Cup last year but Alan Cooper, racing manager to the owners, the Niarchos family, explained the decision to change riders.

He told the Racing Post: “Six Perfections was given some left-handed work on the All Along dirt track at Lamorlaye last Friday.

“Pascal Bary was very happy with the way she went. We have booked Jerry Bailey as he is the leading Grade One winner in the States.”

Bailey is looking forward to taking the ride but admits he knows “absolutely nothing” about the filly.

He added: “I love the idea of going in cold on a horse. I’ve had some of my biggest wins over the years just that way.”