Sports · Other Sports · 16 hrs ago
Donnacha O’Brien takes Comanche Brave to the Breeders’ Cup
Trainer Donnacha O’Brien is taking Comanche Brave to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in the United States.
The sprinter has won two European Group One races this season and has become one of the continent’s leading horses over shorter distances.
O’Brien won at the Breeders’ Cup last year with Balantina, joining his father Aidan and brother Joseph as a winning trainer at the event.
Comanche Brave has also raced in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, where he ran against sprint star Ka Ying Rising.
He is expected to face Bacio, trained by Wesley Ward, who is likely to be favourite after strong performances in Europe.
Billy Loughnane will ride Comanche Brave, and O’Brien says the Breeders’ Cup has been the plan since the horse won the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.
The team is now aiming to challenge Bacio on his home turf and seek another Breeders’ Cup win.
Donnacha O’Brien is taking sprinter Comanche Brave to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland.
The horse has won two European Group One races this season.
Billy Loughnane is scheduled to ride Comanche Brave.
O’Brien said the Breeders’ Cup had been the plan since Comanche Brave won the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.
Comanche Brave is expected to face Bacio, whom O’Brien said would be the favourite.
- Who
- Trainer Donnacha O’Brien is taking Comanche Brave, who is set to be ridden by Billy Loughnane.
- What
- Comanche Brave will compete at the Breeders’ Cup.
- When
- The articles were published on 26 October 2026; the race date is not stated.
- Where
- Keeneland, in the United States.
- Why
- O’Brien said the Breeders’ Cup had been the plan since Comanche Brave won the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Donnacha O’Brien became a Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer.
Comanche Brave raced in Qatar and Saudi Arabia before competing in Hong Kong.
O’Brien said the Breeders’ Cup became the plan for Comanche Brave.
Articles reported that Comanche Brave was heading to the Breeders’ Cup.
- Trainer
- Donnacha O’Brien
- Horse
- Comanche Brave
- Jockey
- Billy Loughnane
- Season record
- Two European Group One wins
- Planned destination
- Keeneland, United States
- Potential rival
- Bacio
3 sources
What people are saying
He’s had a great year, especially with his wins and we love taking horses to the Breeders’ Cup when we have one good enough and he looks like he’s more than worth his place in the line-up so we’re looking forward to it.
It’s been the plan to go to the Breeders’ Cup since he won at the Curragh (in the Flying Five Stakes) and Billy (Loughnane) is going to ride him.
He’s a straightforward horse who travels well and it will be an interesting race, it looks like Bacio is going to line up and he will be the favourite.
Now it’s our turn though to go over to his home turf and take him on, so we’re looking forward to it.