Willie Mullins snaps up Ryan Moore for Kentucky Downs raid with Ethical Diamond

Willie Mullins has secured Ryan Moore to ride Ethical Diamond in the Group Two Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs this weekend. The race, set for Saturday, carries a prize fund of $2 million, though only half of that amount is available to non-Kentucky-bred horses. Ethical Diamond, a Breeders' Cup champion, returns to the United States for the first time since his recent successes, aiming to claim a major victory on American soil. Ethical Diamond's presence at Kentucky Downs marks a return to a venue that holds historical significance for Mullins. In 1990, when the track was initially called the Dueling Grounds, Mullins accompanied his father, Paddy, to witness the inaugural events. At that time, Grabel won the International Hurdle under Tony Mullins, which was the richest jumps race in America at the time. Now, nearly three decades later, Mullins is once again targeting substantial rewards with Ethical Diamond, who is expected to face competition from notable rivals such as Tiffany, a German Group One winner trained by Mark Prescott. Mullins has chosen Ryan Moore, an English jockey, to pilot Ethical Diamond in the Kentucky Turf Cup. This will be Moore's first appearance at Kentucky Downs, and he will also partner with Coolmore in the Grade Two Nashville Derby. In that race, Causeway, representing Ballydoyle, seeks redemption following a disappointing finish in the Grand Prix de Paris earlier this summer. Causeway had previously enjoyed a successful streak, including victories at Royal Ascot. The Nashville Derby, scheduled for Saturday, boasts a prize fund of $3 million, making it the second richest race for three-year-olds in the United States, trailing only the Kentucky Derby. Causeway will be joined by other Irish contenders, including Nil Bua Gan Dua, a horse trained by Joseph O’Brien. The name translates from Irish as "no victory without hardship," reflecting the challenges faced by the horse and its connections. Nil Bua Gan Dua will be ridden by Ben Curtis, a US-based Irish rider who has previously partnered with O’Brien. Joseph O’Brien has already demonstrated success at Kentucky Downs, securing a $500,000 victory in 2022 with Reckoning Force. His current contender, Nil Bua Gan Dua, recently claimed a Listed race at Gowran Park before heading to the United States. O’Brien’s involvement in the Kentucky Downs meeting underscores his growing influence in international racing circles. The Kentucky Downs meeting, held approximately an hour north of Nashville, features a staggering $37 million in prize money spread across several weeks. The track’s financial viability, bolstered by casino revenue, has elevated it to among the premier racetracks in the country in terms of purse money. As the season progresses, attention shifts toward the upcoming Melbourne Cup in November, where O’Brien aims to extend his dominance in global racing. O’Brien has already made a significant impact in the Melbourne Cup preparations, with 11 of the 101 initial entries for the prestigious race. Among these are Defiantly, a 12-1 joint favorite, and Goodie Two Shoes, last year’s runner-up. Other notable entries include James J Braddock, who placed third in the Epsom Derby, and Christmas Day, the Derby winner entered by Aidan O’Brien, who has yet to secure a Melbourne Cup triumph. The depth of O’Brien’s stable in the Melbourne Cup highlights his formidable position in the sport. With six runners coming from a single trainer being the highest ever recorded for the race, O’Brien’s prospects appear promising. Owner Ozzie Kheir expressed confidence in O’Brien’s ability to deliver results, citing recent discussions with the trainer ahead of the upcoming challenge.