Talking Horses: Europe’s best head to Breeders’ Cup amid Bob Baffert saga | Greg Wood

Controversy around the trainer casts a shadow over preparations for world championships of racing' in California

The big names over the jumps are emerging week by week and Cheltenham's November meeting is on the horizon but the international Flat season has one final flourish to come. The pulling power of Del Mar on the Pacific coast in California - where the surf meets the turf" - has attracted a huge European team for the 2021 Breeders' Cup meeting later this week.

More detail about running plans will arrive when the draw for stall positions takes place later on Monday, but the quarantine barn at Del Mar is currently home to 40 horses from stables in Europe. They include Dermot Weld's Tarnawa, who will attempt to become only the third dual winner of the Turf, and Audarya from James Fanshawe's Newmarket yard, who defends her title in the Filly & Mare Turf.