No Breeders' Cup for Bago

Bago will not contest the Breeders’ Cup Classic on October 30 and will instead be targeted at Europe’s major races next season.

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.”