Ribchester set for Del Mar finale in BC Mile

Ribchester is poised to end his illustrious racing career with a crack at the G1 Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar on November 4 before retirement to Kildangan Stud as a Darley stallion.

The Godolphin flagship was given the green light to travel by trainer Richard Fahey after a routine workout on his home gallops at Malton, North Yorkshire, on Thursday.

It will be only 14 days between Ribchester's gallant second to Persuasive in Ascot's QEII on soft ground and his Breeders' Cup assignment, which will almost certainly take place on a fast surface.  William Buick will again take the ride.

Fahey is not concerned about the short gap between races.

"He has kept his coat, he looks a picture, and clearly, he wants to go," Fahey said.

"He has done everything but tell me himself that he should be on the plane to California.

"I'm very happy with him. He's in great order," he added. 

Ribchester has been described by Fahey as having a remarkable constitution. "He's very tough," he said.

The four-year-old son of Iffraaj goes into his last race with an impressive record of six wins, five seconds and three thirds, from 15 starts. If toughness is one trade mark, consistency is the other.

The Breeders' Cup in America marks the fourth country in which he will have competed and the 11th G1 race of his career.