Midday gives Cecil first Breeders' Cup triumph

ARCADIA, California (AFP) - Midday won the two million-dollar Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita Park on Friday, giving British trainer Henry Cecil the first Breeders' Cup winner of his storied career.

Jockey Tom Qeally piloted Midday to victory ahead of Pure Clan, with the Jonathan Sheppard-trained Forever Together - the 2008 winner of the same race - third under Julien Leparoux.

"It was lovely," Cecil said. "I was quite happy. They suddenly quickened up a bit, and when (Queally) asked her, she moved through nicely. When she hit the front, I think she thought she had just enough for the end, and she had."

Queally called it "the biggest win of my career - undoubtedly."

"She has a top gear that is really something, but we had to find it. When she quickens, it?s just a dream. I saw lots of rails all the way around. It was a dream run."

Midday went off as 2-1 co-favorite with Forever Together in the 1 1/4-mile race - and became the first favorite to win on the day in the fourth of six races. The two million-dollar Ladies' Classic was to cap the day.

The two-day, 14-race Breeders' Cup programme boasts purses totalling 25.5 million dollars and concludes Saturday with the five million-dollar Breeders' Cup Classic.