Audarya to End Fanshawe's Long Breeders' Cup Wait

Trainer James Fanshawe is set to end a 30-year wait for a runner at the Breeders' Cup with Audarya poised to tackle the Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland Nov. 7.

The 4-year-old is scheduled to jet out to the U.S. Oct. 29 and will do so in top order after her excellent third in the Longines Prix de l'Opera (G1) at ParisLongchamp on Arc Day. Audarya, who was running in handicaps earlier in the season, was beaten less than a length that day by Irish filly and fellow Filly & Mare Turf starter Tarnawa. 

Audarya landed the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (G1) at Deauville in August on her first start at the top level. 

Fanshawe said: "It's exciting to be having our first runner at the Breeders' Cup, and Audarya worked nicely this morning, so the intention is to run. The closest we've got to having a runner was in 1996 when it was staged at Woodbine and we won the E. P. Taylor Stakes (G2T) at the track the following day with Wandering Star."

Audarya was partnered on both French outings by Ioritz Mendizabal, and the plan is to keep the partnership at Keeneland, for which the daughter of Wootton Bassett is a 14-1 chance with bookmaker Paddy Power.

Fanshawe added: "Ioritz knows his way around the U.S. tracks, having won an Arlington Million (G1T), so it makes sense to keep the partnership going.

"We've always thought a lot of Audarya, but it was one step forward and two back in the early stages of her career. After she won a handicap at Newcastle in the summer, we had the Romanet in mind as we've won it before, and happily it came off."

On her latest effort at Longchamp, Fanshawe added: "Audarya ran an excellent race, but there wasn't much coverage of it afterwards. Most of the attention seemed to focus on the winner Tarnawa and Jessica Harrington's filly Alpine Star, who finished second."

Other British interest in the 1 3/16-mile contest could also include Angel Power, a Roger Varian trainee who won a group 3 at Newmarket last time, as well as the John Gosden pair Terebellum and Mehdaayih.

Rushing Fall, Mean Mary, Sistercharlie, and Civil Union are some of the top U.S. hopes expected to be pre-entered in the race.