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Godolphin's Del Mar double a global team effort

J A McGrath

Godolphin were celebrating a glorious Breeders' Cup double after Wuheida landed the G1 Filly & Mare Turf and Talismanic chalked up a deserved victory in the G1 Turf at Del Mar, USA, on Saturday, November 4.

Both wins were rewarding remarkable consistency from very talented horses, and giving William Buick and Mickael Barzalona, their respective riders, a first taste of success at this showcase American meeting.

In the case of Barzalona, an Epsom Derby-winning jockey, it was the first time he had even been to the United States.

You would never had known though, by monitoring his professionalism on Saturday as he steered Talismanic over the line, comfortably clear of Beach Patrol and Highland Reel.

Joe Osborne, Godolphin's chief executive, said: "This Breeders' Cup double highlights the global stretch of the Godolphin team.

"If you look at the connections of the two winners we have had, and where they were bred, where they were sired, where they were trained and raised, the jockeys involved....

"It's such a huge team effort. It's so gratifying for everybody to see that.

"It's also gratifying to see everybody delivering the sort of success that Sheikh Mohammed deserves," Osborne said.