Trainer Rebecca Menzies, who hoped to see her two-year-old gelding Adonius (Soldier's Call) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint starting gate on Oct. 30, told The Mirror that her dreams have been “dashed” after the Breeders' Cup selection committee placed the gelding at number six on the also-eligible list for the race.

Adonius began his career with back-to-back victories at Musselburgh before winning the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester in May. He subsequently finished runner-up in the G3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood and the Listed Roses Stakes at York.

He made a successful American debut on Oct. 4 when overcoming a slow start to win the GIII Indian Summer Stakes by a head under John Velazquez, providing Menzies with her first winner from her first runner in the United States.

The gelding has remained at Keeneland since that victory, with connections hoping to contest the Juvenile Turf Sprint over the same course and distance.

Queried by the TDN as to how the selection committee had drawn up their rankings, a Breeders' Cup spokesman issued the following statement to the TDN:

“The depth and quality of horses seeking to compete in the Breeders' Cup World Championships is a testament to the event's standing as a premier international showcase for Thoroughbred racing.

“With so many elite horses from around the globe vying for a limited number of positions, our independent field selection panel faces a difficult task. The selection process is designed to balance objective criteria, including Breeders' Cup Challenge victories and graded stakes points, with the judgment of experienced and international racing officials and handicappers.

“While we recognize that difficult decisions can lead to disappointment, we have tremendous confidence in the panel and the thoroughness of its deliberations.”

The Indian Summer is not part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, meaning Adonius's victory did not provide an automatic berth in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, but Menzies questioned why horses who finished behind Adonius in the Indian Summer were more highly ranked on the Breeders' Cup list.

Following the announcement of the pre-entries, Menzies expressed her disappointment in comments published by The Mirror.

“I am disappointed for the horse and the owners,” Menzies told The Mirror.

“I don't understand why he is so far down the list and he has not been put up for winning the Indian Summer. You would have thought the course and distance win would have stood for something.”

This story was posted in Europe, Shared News Europe, Top News, Top News Europe and tagged Adonius, Breeders' Cup, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, Rebecca Menzies.