Unswerving loyalty a key factor in Glass Slippers' Breeders' Cup win

The number of landmark achievements for Europe at the Breeders’ Cup, notably with four-year-old fillies, showed the value of bringing along talent patiently and making bold choices at the crucial moment. One example was Glass Slippers’ performance in becoming the first European-trained winner of the Turf Sprint.

For the second year in a row, Kevin Ryan had her at perfect pitch for an autumn campaign which yielded Group 1 success in Europe and, this time, the extra bonus of beating the Americans in their own backyard.

It is one thing getting horses ready for these big moments in their lives, but what Ryan also demonstrated was the importance he attaches to helping jockeys achieve their full potential as well. For the second time this year, he put his faith in a trusted ally to deliver for him on one of racing’s biggest stages.