Valiant Force Sets Sights on Breeders' Cup

Sunday, June 25, 2023 | 12:57 pm

Valiant Force ridden by Rossa Ryan wins the Norfolk Stakes during day three of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire. Picture date: Thursday June 22, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story RACING Ascot. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Amo Racing's longshot G2 Norfolk S. winner Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) will target the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, trainer Adrian Murray revealed. The colt has already secured a spot in the starting gate at Santa Anita Park in California on Nov. 3 as the race was a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier for the Future Stars Friday card.

“He's probably going to be aimed at the Breeders' Cup now in November,” Murray said. “He will more than likely run before then but having talked to the owner he is keen to go there, so that will be our big target for him.

“He's a horse with a lot of speed, so I would say we will stick to five furlongs for the time being.”

Murray sent out three runners during the Royal Ascot meeting, including Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was third in the G2 Coventry S. He is also owned by Amo Racing.

“He's a really nice horse and I think he's going to be a really good horse down the road, there's lots of improvement to come from him yet,” Murray said. “He might go for a Group One at the Curragh, but we will need to sit down and have a discussion. He's entered for a couple of Group Ones but it might be the Phoenix Stakes for him. He's entered in all the good races anyway, but we're not going to rush him though.”