Emily Upjohn could bid for first Breeders' Cup success as Gosdens prepare strong team - but Group 1 winner misses out

Recent French Group 1 winner Friendly Soul is to miss next month's Filly & Mare Turf at the Breeders' Cup, for which she is the 4-1 joint-favourite.

The three-year-old, last seen winning the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp on Arc day, will not form part of the John and Thady Gosden team for California this year but could well do so in 2025.

However, the Clarehaven team will be represented by Emily Upjohn and Running Lion at Del Mar, where the Breeders' Cup hasn't been staged since 2021.

The form of Emily Upjohn's most recent third in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp last month could not have worked out any better as she was preceded by the subsequent Arc one-two Bluestocking and Aventure.

Emily Upjohn (far side) finishes second to Bluestocking in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and third to her in the VermeilleCredit: CAROLINE NORRIS

John Gosden said: "We wanted Emily Upjohn to go to the Breeders' Cup fresh, so we decided to miss the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with her, and she's had a nice break since the Vermeille.

"That form turned out to be 'the form' if you like behind the subsequent Arc winner and runner-up and we feel that Del Mar will play to her strengths. She enjoys quick ground, which you usually get at Del Mar, and we are looking forward to taking her out there.

"Emily Upjohn is entered in two races at the moment, which are the Breeders' Cup Turf over a mile and a half and the Filly & Mare, which is over a mile and three. We'll make a call nearer the time which race she goes for, while Running Lion is entered only in the Filly & Mare."

Emily Upjohn is 4-1 for the Filly & Mare with Running Lion a 16-1 chance.

Running Lion, who won the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, was last seen finishing second to Friendly Soul in the Prix de l'Opera.

On Friendly Soul, the trainer added: "Friendly Soul is finished for this year but she's only a three-year-old, so hopefully she can have a nice campaign next year."

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