2019 Breeders’ Cup-winning jockey Wayne Lordan spoke about what it meant to win the famous American race on Friday Night Racing.
The jockey has been travelling a lot recently, having been involved in Tuesday morning’s Lexus Melbourne Cup in Australia.
However, the successful jockey says the jet-lag is having little effect on him and gave praise to his horse, Iridessa.
“[My body-clock] is back fairly quick. I’ve two kids at home that get up very early so. Ah look, it’s a great position to be in and I’m lucky that I’m able to do it.
“Yeah, it’s a huge achievement. She’s been a very good filly, Iridessa, for me all year. But Joseph [O’Brien] was very happy with her out there.
“She looked well and he said she was in great form. So it was just going through the race as best we could. We had a good draw and the ones beside me were slotting in.
“It’s definitely up there. Look, you could make a case for all of them. But to ride a Breeder’s Cup Winner is fantastic." 🏇 🏆@waynemlordan on winning the Breeder's Cup.#EveryRacingMoment @HRIRacing
Full show here: https://t.co/LNm85adKTR pic.twitter.com/4cRBhiSX5y
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) November 15, 2019
“Probably the only one that was going to go forward as much as we wanted to go was in five. So that gave me an extra little bit of a chance to get out and get into a good position.
“You couldn’t have written it any better. She jumped smart. I had to give her a squeeze to get her up into her stride.
“Once I was up into stride and in a position that I was happy with I was able to bring her back onto the bridle and get her travelling,” Lordan said.
The Corkman said that winning at the Breeders Cup was one of his finest achievements as a jockey to date.
“It’s definitely up there. Look, you could make a case for all of them. But to ride a Breeder’s Cup Winner is fantastic. It’s an achievement that you always want to look for. When you get it it’s fantastic.
“I wouldn’t say nerves it’s just that you’re just trying to make sure everything goes to plan. Rather than being nervous you just have a plan in your head.
“If that doesn’t work you have to go to plan B or C or whatever. You’re just going out focused with a picture in your head of what you want to happen,” Lordan said.
