Cup Bid Ruled Out For Sagara

Sagara will not head to Monmouth Park for the Breeders' Cup after his gallant third behind Dylan Thomas in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

But connections, who were delighted with the progressive colt's fine showing at Longchamp, have yet to finalise plans for the remainder of the term.

Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos family, said: 'We were absolutely delighted with Sagara as he ran a very good race. We're thrilled by him and he got a terrific ride from Thierry (Gillet).

'The plan is for him to stay in training next year. As for the rest of this year, we haven't really had a chance to discuss it in detail but he's not going to go to the Breeders' Cup.'

Despite only winning once this term, Cooper was not overly surprised Sagara ran such a bold race and was understandably delighted to see the son of Sadler's Wells trump the other three-year-olds in the race.

'He'd had some good performances throughout the year and just had the one blip at Deauville,' he continued.

'But he was third in the Grand Prix de Paris and then second to Soldier Of Fortune in the Niel.

'Yesterday he showed that good form against the older horses, which was obviously very encouraging for next year.'

(C) PA Sport