Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien landed the Juvenile Turf trophy at the Breeders Cup in Santa Anita when his horse George’s Vancouver ridden by Ryan Moore came through in the final furlong to win.

“Ryan gave him a super ride and he has been crying out for fast ground all year," O'Brien said. "His dad [Henrythenavigator] was the same, and all the Henrys [sons of Henrythenavigator] have been the same, and we have been destroyed with soft ground in England all year.

"His first two runs [with Joseph O'Brien, the trainer's son, riding] were in very bad ground, then Joseph said we should go to [the all-weather track at] Dundalk with him for the fast ground and he won very easily.

"We knew that a mile would be fine for him, even though he has loads of speed, but ground was what we were always hoping would make the difference. Ryan rode him with real confidence, he had confidence in him from [riding him at] Deauville [in August] and he thought that this race and this track would really suit him."

"The whole way around, I was able to save him up," Moore said. "He travelled very easy and he had a small gap but there was that much more there that he had plenty to go through and actually I was in front a little bit too soon on him.

"Yesterday, when horses were steady in those races, horses were still travelling turning in and that's when it's hard to find more room. There was a bit of pace today and you can make a bit more room for yourself when you have a bit more pace in the race."

George Vancouver may now be prepared with next year's 2,000 Guineas in mind, though the ground would need to be fast for him to show his best form.

"We always thought he could be a Guineas horse," O'Brien said. "Ground is vital to him and today he showed that a mile is well within his compass next year, so we're delighted with him."