After a disappointing main track experiment in the Goodwood Stakes (G1), Spirit One (Fr) will return to France on Wednesday and not compete in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

The Arlington Million Stakes (G1) winner finished fifth in the Goodwood on September 27 at Santa Anita Park, in what his connections hoped would be a springboard to the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

“I think [the pace] may have been too fast for him,” said Francoise Dupuis, a California bloodstock agent who represents trainer Philippe Demercastel and owners Kamel and Boualem Chehboub. “He’ll go to back to France, and they’ll reevaluate their plans for him. They may stick to the grass with him.”

Spirit One switched from the turf in the Goodwood after winning the Arlington Million at odds of 13.70-to-1 on August 9. He was shipped from France to California on September 19.

Spirit One is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program, so the Chehboubs faced a $150,000 nomination fee or $450,000 supplementary fee to make him eligible for the Classic.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)