The catalyst for yearly antipodean migration to Royal Ascot, Coolmore's magnificent chestnut Choisir continues to break new ground for the Australian thoroughbred.
Making his fifth appearance at the Breeders Cup, Choisir's 8yo gelded son Obviously (IRE) came up trumps in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park, Sunday (Australia time).
He had previously tried four times in the Breeders' Cup Mile with his best finish coming when third behind the champion Wise Dan in 2012.
Winner of two of his three starts in Ireland for Peter Fahey before being sold to America, Obviously began his US career under the late Mike Mitchell before Phil D'Amato took charge after Mitchell's death.
"This is tremendous," D'Amato told The Blood-Horse.
"A (first Breeders' Cup) win for me and for my old boss Mike Mitchell, who had the horse before me. Mike campaigned him to a couple of (grade I) victories and passed the baton on to me with this guy, and here I am with the Breeders' Cup win. Pretty amazing."
Sent straight to the front by Flavien Prat, Obviously withstood the challenge of the fast-finishing Om (Munnings) by a nose with Pure Sensation (
"I got a good trip. He didn't break well like he does every time but when I sent him and he got the lead he got comfortable," Prat said.
"I asked him before the dirt (crossover) and he went on. He got a little tired but the wire was there."
In earning his third grade I win, Obviously advances his record to 13 wins, 6 seconds and 4 thirds from 29 starts, for earnings of $2,321,751.
Bred in Ireland by Deidre Cogan, Obviously is out of the unraced Montjeu mare Leala.
The son of Choisir (photo Mark Smith) was a bargain basement 2000 euro Goffs yearling, before later making 130,000 guineas at Tattersalls as a 3yo.
