Team Valor LLC and Gary Barber’s newly acquired Anshoda (IRE) secured a victory in the William Hill Prestige Stakes (G3) at Goodwood. This win in the 7-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies grants Anshoda an automatic spot in the $1 million John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series consists of 82 stakes races held across 12 countries, offering winners an automatic entry and paid fees into corresponding races at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, set for November 1-2 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California.

Due to heavy overnight rain that left the track soft, four horses were scratched from the race, including the top two betting favorites, Formal (GB) and Tabiti (GB). This left a field of seven, with the experienced Royalty Bay (IRE) leading the market at 5-2 odds.

Hollie Doyle, fresh off a win in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York, set the early pace aboard Duty First (GB), owned by Victorious Racing. The race pace was slow due to the challenging conditions, with Anshoda and Biniorella Bay (GB) close behind. As the field entered the straight, Doyle moved towards the stand side rail, a common tactic on soft ground, in a seemingly decisive move. However, under a strong ride from Billy Loughnane, Anshoda surged ahead to secure a memorable win for his father, trainer David Loughnane.

Duty First finished 1 ¾ lengths behind in second place, while Aidan O’Brien’s Merrily, who was hampered by a lack of clear running space, closed late to take third, just a neck behind.

Anshoda, initially purchased for just 5,000gns (US$7,000) in May by owner Nawaf Almutairi, won on debut and finished second in the European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes (Listed) at Sandown. Following that performance, Team Valor International and Gary Barber acquired the filly, who has now earned a place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Eighteen-year-old jockey Billy Loughnane, enjoying a breakthrough season with wins at Royal Ascot and York’s Ebor Festival, was impressed with Anshoda’s effort, stating, “She’s small, but she gives everything. She was really moving towards the end and finished strong. She’ll likely handle longer distances in the future, and her light build helped her on the soft ground.”

As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series rewards, Breeders’ Cup will cover Anshoda's entry fees for the Juvenile Fillies Turf and provide a travel allowance for horses based outside North America to compete in the World Championships. To claim these benefits, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of October 21.

Image David Loughnane Stables