It’s emotion and elation as Big Evs flies to a fairytale win in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint

Mick Appleby sipped champagne, Tom Marquand downed a bottle of water while Paul Teasdale sat back in his chair, stunned.

Three different reactions from the trainer, jockey and owner of Big Evs, but they were united by one feeling: elation. Racing is unparalleled in its ability to turn fantasy into reality and the surprised smiles on all three men confirmed that they were at the center of a story that will be told forever.

The key facts were as follows: Big Evs, 5/2 favorite for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, had a collision coming out of the gate, but Marquand got him into a good position and then used the Santa Anita bend as a slingshot to sending the little colt screaming down the straight and narrow like a midnight bonfire rocket.

Try as they might, fellow European raiders Valiant Force – the 150/1 winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June – and Starlust gave chase in vain, but they could not get close enough to Big Evs, who at any daylight crossed the line. save.

But the bare facts, as always in this sport, do not accurately paint the full picture. Teasdale and his wife Rachael were overcome with emotion. This horse is named after his best friend, Paul Evans. Next week marks the first anniversary of his death and what a way this was to honor his memory.

Trainer Mick Appleby celebrated the victory with a sip of champagne at Santa Anita Park

Rachael, left, and Paul Teasdale, second from right, named the horse in honor of their late friend Paul Evans, and next week marked the first anniversary of his death

“Paul was my friend for 40 years, we raced together for 25 years,” Teasdale said. “We really wanted this to be a great horse because he was a great man. He was a winner in life. This means everything. That’s what we’re all about.’

For Appleby, this was his first trip to America since a bachelor party in Las Vegas twenty years ago. He barely slept Thursday night, so excited was he about what might be in store for him, and he won’t sleep all weekend either, after the biggest moment in his upwardly mobile career.

‘Such a small garden? We’re just over the moon,” he beamed. ‘I am grateful to the entire team. They all deserve it because they all work so hard. The race went according to plan.’

Then Marquand, riding with confidence, skill and power, couldn’t believe his first Breeders Cup experience had ended in success. His confidence in Big Evs – whose main target will be the July Cup next year – was unwavering, but that alone does not guarantee results.

“I knew a few more would wave at me later, but I wasn’t too worried,” he said. ‘There were still a few gears left. One from one? It’s easy, isn’t it!’