BREEDERS' CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

November 2, 2024

Kevid Attard

Tom Ryan

Donato Lanni

Saul McHugh

Del Mar Fairgrounds

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Kevin, congratulations, Moira winning. She has been something else for your stable. Traveled all around. Now to win today on this biggest stage. Tell us a little bit about Moira and the way today's race unfolded.

KEVIN ATTARD: Yeah, she's obviously a very special horse. Has meant a lot in my career. My first Queen's Plate winner. Being Canadian, growing up and training at Woodbine, the Queen's Plate is a dream. It's kind of the mecca of the championship, like a Stanley Cup to the NHL.

When she won the Queen's Plate, I was floored with it, a dream come true. Had so much confidence in her that we elected to run her in the E.P. Taylor as a three-year-old. She had an unfortunate trip that day. But she proved she wasn't just a Canadian bred, she was a top filly on the turf in her first start really.

It's been a bit of a whirlwind with her. She's been very unfortunate at times. Hooked some soft turf, which she doesn't really appreciate. Last year we came out here to Santa Anita and she ran a great race. I mean, it wasn't a smooth process getting her to that race either. We had some hiccups again. She's always been a horse that kind of throws you some curve balls.

But today there was just something different about her. She was a lot more relaxed, a lot more settled. It was kind of a little bit eerie because I wasn't sure what direction it was going to go. Maybe it could go either of two ways: really good or really bad.

Obviously here is a filly that has competed in every race of her life have been stakes, maybe off the board twice in her career, I think. Just a true champion. Horse of the Year in Canada. I'd have to think now she's a turf filly in the U.S., North America. Just to see her get that great one than one win is really very special. She's been really deserving of it.

I'm just so proud of her. Obviously the connections here to kind of support me and give me faith and confidence for me to train her and keep her throughout her career has meant a lot to me, my career, my family.

She's obviously going to a sale (smiling) -- I'm going to miss her (tearing up). Just so happy and so proud of her.

THE MODERATOR: Ownership team is up here. I'll start with you, Tom Ryan. What Kevin said, this filly mare has been everywhere, done everything so consistently. Today to put it together on this big stage with all the partners here...

TOM RYAN: To top it off here today is amazing. She's always thrown she's a top class, Grade I talent. Everything came together. Kevin peaked her at the right time. Donato wanted to keep this filly in training, bought her. A beautiful specimen. Incredible pedigree. I couldn't be more proud to be part of this ownership team.

We started out together, myself, Donato. I called him to see if he would help buy me some Derby horses. The first horse he bought us was Authentic, and he won the Derby. And Donato wanted to put together a team to buy a Queen's Plate horse. The first one he bought is Moira.

Kevin is a credit to his country and the fillies, one of the best I've ever seen.

THE MODERATOR: Donato, the bar has been set very high. You set the very bar high for this group.

DONATO LANNI: I had a feeling, this is like a dream come true. My idea was to buy a Canadian-bred filly and win the White Oaks. I wanted to put together a bunch of my friends, Canadian friends of mine, I've known Kevin for 25 years. Tom and Saul are my dear friends. They're players. They love the game, love the action.

I convinced them to put some money up. I got a bunch of my friends back home in Toronto and Montreal to put the money up. We bought this filly. Okay, maybe we'll win the Oaks, maybe the Plate. Offers started coming in. We didn't sell, we didn't sell.

Why do you want to sell?

If I sell this horse, I won't be happy. Why would I sell a horse, I won't be happy? Keep the horse, we'll be happy (laughter).

This is unbelievable. She's come so close to winning a Grade I, most deserving filly to win a Grade I. She's just had a really lot of unfortunate trips, wasn't the time.

This is unbelievable that she did this on the biggest day of the year with all my friends, my wife is here, my closest friends. It's just unbelievable.

THE MODERATOR: Saul, kind of to see you all up here, you've been on the big stage a lot, but to see the emotion over this mare, just kind of expand on that a little bit, your partnerships. This is so special.

SAUL MCHUGH: It's amazing to see. I mean, yeah, Kevin is legit, man. This guy can train. He's kind of sneaky up there in Canada. Didn't know much about him. I thank Donato for introducing me. The guy flat out knows what he's doing. I've been lucky to be a part of this group. To get exposure with a group like this is unbelievable.

You see when you hear Kevin, Donato and Tom, these guys love their horses. They love 'em. They're part of their families. They treat them like family. They care.

Listen, I'm just lucky to be along for the ride. Made some great friends. This is what it's all about. Couldn't be happier to be here. Couldn't be happier for my partners and my friends.

THE MODERATOR: Maybe she knew she was going to the sale, make sure I win this one for the guys today.

Congratulations, go celebrate.