Line of Duty (IRE)

Line of Duty (IRE) has always been well-regarded by his lofty connections. He is the first Grade 1-winning son of Galileo to be owned by Godolphin, the chief rival to Coolmore, which stands the world’s top stallion. He was very highly regarded when coming to Churchill Downs last year and winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), entering off a smart victory in the Group 3 Prix de Conde in France.

  This season has not gone as well for the mid-sized chestnut colt. He was a disappointing eighth in an ultra-competitive renewal of the Dante Stakes (G2) at York and then appeared primed for a big run turning for home in the Epsom Derby (G1) before floundering to ninth of 13. Since, that effort, he has come back with a trio of good thirds in France—two at the top level—including an eye-catching run in the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp. He came back to the greater-Paris racecourse Oct. 5 and ran a good third in the Prix Dollar (G2) as the favorite, though the very soft conditions may have been tough on his late running style.

  In 10 starts, he has three wins and has proven that his best form is at or around one mile—a trip he will likely have another go at in the Breeders’ Cup. Trainer Charlie Appleby has never had a starter in the Mile, but has three winners from six starters in the Breeders’ Cup—an impeccable statistic. Other than Line of Duty, his wins include Outstrip (Juvenile Turf) and Wuheida (Filly & Mare Turf (G1)).

  Godolphin’s success in the Breeders’ Cup goes without saying. The operation, as a whole, set a standard rarely seen in 2018 when landing 30 Group or Grade 1 wins and is already on schedule to hit the mid-20s (23 as of Oct. 1) by the time the Breeders’ Cup commences. The Turf has been a particularly productive race for the ‘Boys in Blue,’ as they have won it three times: Daylami (1999), Fantastic Light (2001) and Talismanic (2017). Godolphin Racing LLC retains the record for most starters in a single Breeders’ Cup weekend with 15 in 2009 (only winning with Vale of York in the Juvenile).

  Line of Duty was a $557,634 purchase at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale of 2017. He is a maternal grandson of beaten 2002 Mile favorite Rock of Gibraltar and his sire, Galileo, has sired five Breeders’ Cup winners from 50 starters and owns the record for most progeny in a championship when nine of his offspring went to post in 2016 at Santa Anita. His six Mile starters have failed to win, but Mondialiste was a good second to Tepin in 2015. Galileo himself was unplaced in the 2001 Classic in what was his final career race.