The Adrian Murray-trained Valiant Force will remain in the US following his surprise second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint behind Big Evs.
It was not the first time that the Amo Racing-owned colt had produced a shock result this season - he was a 150/1 winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
The son of Malibu Moon boasts a very American-centric pedigree and is the first foal out of an unraced half-sister to multiple US winner Joyful Heart. His best performances have come on fast ground, and the colt failed to fire when tried on a very soft surface in the Group 1 Prix Morny.
"We were waiting for good ground with him He's a very good horse and to be second was brilliant," said Adrian Murray.
"You are hopeful for these things to happen but they don't always happen and we had a great week. I was really proud of the horse.
"We took him over for the Prix Morny and he couldn't get out of the soft ground at all. So we decided then we wouldn't run him again until the Breeders' Cup.
"At the minute he is staying in America. There is a possibility he might come back for Royal Ascot, but the ground doesn't really suit him here, he needs fast ground.
"The plan for the last two or three months was pretty much to go to the Breeders' Cup and probably stay there. He's going down to Florida I think.
"He's been brilliant and you couldn't dream of these things to happen. To have a winner at Royal Ascot and then go to the Breeders' Cup and be second is just class."
