Breeders' Cup Mile: Moore reunites with Astronomer

ARCADIA, Calif. — Top European jockey Ryan Moore has been booked to ride Astronomer in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 4, trainer Simon Callaghan said on Saturday.

The decision was finalized after trainer Aidan O’Brien withdrew top contender Paddington from consideration. Paddington, the winner of four consecutive Group 1 races in Ireland and Britain earlier this year, has been retired to stud.

Moore rides first-call for the Coolmore syndicate, which owns Paddington. Michael Tabor is part of the Coolmore team and co-owns Astronomer with Alice Bamford, who bred the 4-year-old gelding.

Astronomer has won 3 of 7 starts and will make his Grade 1 debut in the BC Mile. Moore rode Astronomer to an upset win at 30-1 in the Qatar Golden Mile for 2-year-olds at Del Mar in November 2021 on the undercard of a Breeders’ Cup program.

Moore will replace Antonio Fresu, who rode Astronomer in his last two starts, both at a mile on turf – a win in an allowance race at Del Mar on Aug. 19, and a second by a neck in the Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita on Sept. 30.

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