EAGLE MOUNTAIN looks set to become Mike De Kock's first runner at the Breeders' Cup championships in Santa Anita later this month after the trainer revealed the colt could have his next start in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
The ex-Ballydoyle colt returned from a near year-long absence to make a winning start to his career with the South African trainer when landing the Group 3 Nayef Joel Stakes at Newmarket last week.
Another Group 3 prize and a trip to Hong Kong were put forward by jockey Kevin Shea as potential targets but De Kock is now seriously looking at the Breeders' Cup.
"It look like we will send him to the Breeders' Cup," said the trainer. "He showed his fitnessthe other day when I was worried he might have been a bit short for it. He is extremely likely to run in the Turf.
"The other day was a mile and the Turf is a mile and a half but I think from what I have seen of Breeders' Cups you need a fair amount of pace for the race so that should suit him."