Stable News
06.11.06 - Ouija Board scales new heights with scintillating American glory
OUIJA BOARD may be in the last year of her career, but hey, she is certainly going out with a bang.
On Saturday, her vast army of followers were celebrating another famous victory as she came home with two-and-a-quarter lengths to spare in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Churchill Downs.
Jockey Frankie Dettori revealed he never had an anxious moment as he rode the five-year-old mare to her third Group 1 win of 2006 - and the seventh Group 1 of her staggering career.
It was a brilliant performance and added further credibility to the theory that she is the best of her sex currently in training.
Dettori was certainly convinced of her number one status, insisting ‘She is the best filly in the world - without a doubt.’
You see, this was emphatic. This was hugely impressive. This was Ouija Board at her scintillating best.
Dettori dropped her in early on in the mile-and-three contest and she travelled with ease. Ahead of the final turn there was just a moment when you wondered whether she may be cramped for racing room.
But Dettori had ridden her with confidence and his faith was rewarded as she picked up under hands and heels on the outer.
She emerged from a cluster of horses to rein in her rivals My Typhoon, Wait A While and Film Maker - and led approaching the final 200 yards.
The outcome was never in doubt through the final strides and all everyone present - and the millions watching on television around the world - wanted to do was cheer her home.
Very much the people’s horse back home in Europe, Ouija Board clearly has a massive fan base in America where she has now registered two Breeders’ Cup triumphs - the first arriving at Lone Star Park back in 2004.
“She is the best,” said trainer Ed Dunlop, who has also masterminded Ouija Board’s Group 1 wins in the Prince Of Wales’s and Nassau Stakes this year. “To win two Breeders’ Cups and come second in another one, having come from Europe is phenomenal.
“She is an absolute champion. It means everything and Frankie gave her a great ride.
“It is another great, great day…I am very lucky to have had her in my life.
“Hopefully, she hasn’t finished yet. We will see how she comes out of this, but the plan is to go to both Japan and Hong Kong with her before she retires.”
Let us hope, then, that there is still another chapter or two of the amazing Ouija Board story to be written yet.
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