European-trained runners completed a second successive clean sweep of the juvenile events on turf at a Keeneland Breeders' Cup on Friday evening as Aidan O'Brien's in the Juvenile Turf, followed up earlier wins for George Boughey's in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, and O'Brien's in the Juvenile Fillies Turf.

the new champion jockey on the Flat, got the meeting underway in thrilling style on , having been confirmed as a late replacement for Flavien Prat in her saddle only around an hour before the race.

Prat was declared to ride earlier in the week when it seemed that Loughnane would be unable to shed the necessary pounds to weigh out at 8st 7lb.

An extended series of sauna sessions got him down to the necessary weight with only a couple of hours to spare, but the effort was worth it as he brought with a strong run in the stretch to win by a length and a quarter.

"I can't put it into words," Loughnane said afterwards. I never expected to ride the filly at this weight. Thankfully, they have the saunas here so managed to do the weight. I feel great and a big thank you to George Boughey for putting me back on board."

Ryan Moore produced rides of similar coolness and efficiency aboard both and breaking smartly from the stalls to sit close to the lead before striking for home inside the final quarter-mile.

The double on the day nudged Aidan O'Brien one clear in the all-time standings with 23 Breeders' Cup winners, after he was briefly tied at 22 with Bob Baffert after his colt took the Juvenile earlier on the card.

That completes an excellent opening day for the European team, who were responsible for the home in the Juvenile Turf Sprint, the in the and the in the Juvenile Turf.

European-trained runners have never taken all seven of the turf events at a single Breeders' Cup – but the closest they have come was at Keeneland four years ago, when a clean sweep on day one was followed up with three out of four on Saturday. Could tomorrow's main card finally be the day when Europe sweeps to seven-out-of-seven?

That win also moves back into a clear lead in the all-time standings for Breeders' Cup winners, with 23 career victories at the meeting.

He was briefly tied on 22 with after the , but the standings could well be re-arranged once again during the main Breeders' Cup card tomorrow.

Once again, made riding a Grade One winner around this tight turf course look like the easiest thing in the world.

He was quickly away from the stalls, third at the first turn, moved up around the inside leaving the back and then stayed on strongly to the line. made up several lengths in the final two furlongs but was just too far away from the action earlier on to stand any chance of running down.

1. HAFFNER (Ryan Moore), 2. Folsom Blues, 3. Avec Toi. 12 ran.

A level break, How's Al Today and Haffner well positioned early …

Pikachu moves into third, Folsom Blues off the pace …

Haffner makes a move against the rail, now comes around teh leader in the straight.

Haffner finishing best, he's in front and staying on strongly … it's for the win.

Off and running in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf!

They are jig-jogging towards the stalls before the and now going into the gates. Folsom Blues will be favourite at around 5-2.

A tricky race to unpick, but I think the pace scenario and also the going could play more to the strengths of than to Folsom Blues so I'll row in behind Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore to pull off yet another Breeders' Cup success.

5-2 Folsom Blues,
3-1 How's Al Today & Haffner
8-1 Avec Toi
12-1 Agate
16-1 bar

In all, there are half a dozen European runners in this race, including the outsiders (Hugo Palmer/Oisin Murphy) and (Charlie Johnston/David Egan).

from the Christopher Head stable in France, and Aidan O'Brien's second-string, complete the visitors' line-up.

21.35 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Grade One, 2yo, 1m, turf

And just like that, we've already reached the last of today's five events, with the Europeans looking to repeat their clean sweep on the turf at the meeting here four years ago.

Even in the late absence of Aidan O'Brien's there will be an impressive squad of Euro runners facing the starter, led by Joseph O'Brien's the runner-up behind Amusingly in the last time.

If he wins, he will be the fourth horse to be beaten in the Lagardere and win at the Breeders' Cup, and he should get the strong pace he needs as a horse that likes to come from off the pace. and are all likely to be vying for the lead.

Aidan O'Brien, meanwhile, still has a strong contender in the winner of the Grade Two Royal Lodge Stakes last time out.

If there's going to be an American-trained winner on the turf today, it will probably be the winner of three of his four starts including the Juvenile Mile Stakes at Kentucky Downs last time.

The big four came clear in the stretch, but led coming out of the home turn and his gallop never faltered on the run to the line. He'll be a serious candidate for the next May.

He set off as the 4-5 favourite on the US tote, the same price as Sun Goddess.

1. HUGHES (Flavien Pratt), 2. American History, 3. Salahudin. 6 ran.

He Is No Lie was slowly away, Damavand leads early.

Hughes is now alongside Damavand in front, so-so first quarter in 23.36.

Hughes leads, American History in pursuit, has this in safe keeping though … he's now five-for-five after taking the Juvenile.

Off and running in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile!

A quote has just dropped from earlier, from Billy Loughnane after his first Breeders' Cup victory (no doubt of many) aboard George Boughey's Libertango.

"I can't put it into words. I never expected to ride the filly at this weight. Thankfully, they have the saunas here so I managed to do the weight. I've been working on the weight all week … and a big thank you to George Boughey for putting me back on board."

Breeders' Cup Juvenile, latest betting:

3-5 Hughes
4-1 Salahudin & American History
9-2 Coach Pope
27-1 Damavand
31-1 He Is No Lie

, incidentally, represents the US arm of Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing operation.

was the first odds-on shot of the meeting and is likely to be the second. He's currently 3-5 with the local tote, and a similar price with the British books.

20.55 Breeders Cup Juvenile, Grade One, 1m ½f, dirt

Six runners – for the second year running – is a disappointing turnout for the Juvenile, but it has a worthy favourite in the Bob Baffert's who is unbeaten in four starts.

He won the at Santa Anita by six lengths, going clear easily under a hand ride.

Todd Pletcher's is also unbeaten – in two – and won the Grade One Futurity over track and trip last time. He was not favourite by any stretch, but picked off the first and second favourites late after they had duelled down the stretch. Another of today's runners, was the favourite there and perhaps a little unlucky to get picked off after getting the better of his market rival.

is also worth a mention as he attempts to give Baffert a record-extending seventh win in this race. He did not have an ideal trip in the at Churchill Downs last time and did well to win in the circumstances.

It's been a meeting for the favourites so far and it's hard to see much beyond here. There's no obvious pace in the race after Gaudreau was scratched and Flavien Pratt should be able to settle just off the lead and pick his moment.

A masterclass in no-nonsense race-riding from who got out and across from stall nine to sit second as they went into the first turn. She travelled sweetly from there and it was just a case of when Moore pressed the button.

What a remarkable filly she is: eight runs, seven wins, three Group Ones. And on top of all that, she has the physique and scope to be an even better three-year-old.

She set off as the 4-5 favourite on course, what a gift that looks now.

1. SUN GODDESS (Ryan Moore), 2. Green Empress, 3. Curracloe. 13 ran.

Off and running in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf!

They are arriving at the start before the still odds-on about both on the local tote and with the British books.

In terms of the likely pace (see pace map below) here, the picture changed somewhat earlier today when replaced a non-runner, and she may well be trying to get over from the outside stall along with Seneca Park.

Ryan Moore may well need to drop in on while will also be coming from off the pace. should have a decent pitch against the rail, but in terms of the likely winner, I think this is all about and probably a question of how far?

has a runner in this race too in unbeaten in two starts, and bidding to become only the third person – after Freddy Head and Joseph O'Brien – to both ride and train a Breeders' Cup winner.

Libertango's win in the opener was a big boost for the form and could well be the first odds-on shot of this year's Breeders' Cup. She's 4-5 on the opening show from the track, with next in on 5-1. is 6-1 with the patriotic locals, but around 12-1 with the British books according to Oddschecker.

20.15 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf, Grade One, 1m

We're back on the turf for the next race European-trained runners – and two of those in particular – are likely to dominate the market.

is already the hot favourite for next year's 1,000 Guineas and arrives having won six of eight starts so far this year. She started her season as long ago as 9 May but could not have been any more impressive in the Cheveley Park last time.

her main market rival, is two-from-three and won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere against the colts last time, beating , the likely favourite for the Juvenile Turf later on the card.

Both fillies are drawn wide, though, while Joseph O'Brien's the Prix Marcel Boussac winner last time, has a better pitch in one.

The best of the Americans, meanwhile, could well be Chad Brown's the winner of the Miss Grillo at Belmont, often one of the best trials for this race.

Emphatic set off as a 5-2 chance on the tote, with the beaten 2-1 favourite.

Miss Monica did well to get as close as she did after edging left and bumping at least one rival shortly after the start. That said, showed an exceptional turn of foot to storm clear on the turn for home.

1. EMPHATIC (Tyler Gafflione), 2. Miss Monica, 3. Manuka Honey. 12 ran.

Miss Monica was a little slow to stride, Lexi's Charm sets a strong pace.

Three length lead for Lexi's Charm, Emphatic next, Miss Monica still trails.

Miss Monica is in pursuit, she's closing all the time but it's surely too late …

Off and running in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies!

Two minutes to post time for the and is the one for money on-course. She's down to 3-1 on the tote, with steady at 2-1.

They will be going into the stalls shortly.

has opened as the 2-1 favourite on the US tote, with next at 7-2 and on 9-2.

The unbeaten deserves a mention too, she is unbeaten in three and showed plenty of determination to get to the lead in the stretch in the at Churchill last time.

went off as a very warm favourite for the opener, paying $5 for the win to a $2 stake, which is 6-4 in British terms.

1. LIBERTANGO (Billy Loughnane), 2. Hell Of A Spin, 3. Mussab.

News on the objection – has been disqualified from third place, and Mussab moves up to take his place with Final Objective in fourth

was placed behind after being found to have caused inteference to Andrew Balding's filly.

19.35 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, Grade One, dirt, 1m ½f

News on that objection when it arrives, but for now we need to look ahead to the next race on the card, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

The market for the first of the two dirt events is headed by two unbeaten fillies, and while was an impressive winner switching from turf to dirt last time out.

is three-from-three for trainer Brendan Walsh, and her prep includes a win in the Grade One Alcibiades Stakes over track and trip last time out, when she made all the running from the inside stall.

is unbeaten in two for Bob Baffert, both at Del Mar and including the Grade One Debutante Stakes last time, which she won by six-and-a-quarter lengths.

was an outsider for the Grade Two Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita but went clear to register an easy seven-length success.

It promises to be a tight contest between the three market leaders, but there was a lot to like about latest win and she appeals as the likeliest winner.

There is, though, an objection, although it concerns Harper's Corner, in third. David Egan, who rode has lodged it.

Fairytale stuff from Billy Loughnane. He broke in mid-division and was forced to wait behind horses before starting to thread his way through, and still had five lengths to make on the leader turning in.

1. LIBERTANGO, 2. Hell Of A Spin, 3. Harper's Corner. 12 ran.

OFF AND RUNNING IN THE BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT!

They are down at the start before the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, remains a solid favourite at 2-1. And they're loading now …

I can't be entirely certain about this as I don't have a rulebook to hand, but a commentator on the track feed suggests that if Libertango wins, will still be due his cut of the prize money because the switch was so late.

I feel a little bit guilty as Flavien has ridden a Graded winner for us out here and I had to send him a message apologising. It's a strange scenario but Billy is our retained rider.

Juvenile Turf Sprint latest betting on the US tote:

2-1 Libertango
4-1 Brickyard Belle, Harper's Corner
8-1 Mussab
10-1 Moonrise
13-1 bar

I was torn between and as the pick for this race, but the news has persuaded me to come down on side. What a story that would be to launch the 2026 Breeders' Cup.

Loughnane a late switch on Libertango

Now there's a surprise – was expected to be aboard in the opener but has somehow managed to get himself down to 8st 5lb and will be a late replacement on George Boughey's filly. She's opened up as the 2-1 favourite in the on-course betting.

A deep European challenge for the opener also includes Andrew Balding's fourth of six in the Cheveley Park, and Richard and Peter Fahey's the winner of his last three starts including the Cornwallis Stakes.

in the purple colours of Kia Joorabchian's deserves a mention too. He was a blowout when fancied for the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot but back to form when second in the Group One Middle Park Stakes last time.

18.55 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (Grade One), 5f 110yd

was a late addition to the field for the opener and could well add more pace to what was already likely to be a fierce gallop. She will do well to get to the turn in front of though, while will likely be tracking the main US-trained hope, in the early stages.

takes over from in Libertango's saddle as the new champion jockey on the Flat cannot do the weight. She was no match for the favourite for the Juvenile Fillies Turf, in the last time but there is nothing of that quality in this field and she is a worthy favourite.

meanwhile, is unbeaten in two starts and made up plenty of ground to catch in the Grade Three Matron Stakes last time, having been shuffled back earlier in the race.

Hello racing fans wherever in the world you happen to be, and welcome to the Guardian's liveblog coverage of the 2026 Breeders' Cup meeting at in Kentucky.

As is now traditional at the self-styled "World Championships" of Flat racing, Friday is for the juveniles, with a total of $7m (£5.2m) up for grabs, while tomorrow's nine-race card, worth $27m (£20.3m) will include the and the , featuring many of the best middle-distance runners in the game.

The last time that the Breeders' Cup was staged at Keeneland in 2022, European-trained horses took all three of Friday's turf events and the visitors will be hoping for the same again this time around. Europe fields the favourite in all three, including Aidan O'Brien's outstanding filly in the at 20.15, and while O'Brien has scratched two from the at 21.35, he still has the second-favourite, and his son, Joseph, will saddle the market leader, Folsom Blues.

On the dirt, there's a somewhat disappointing turnout of just half a dozen for the , and quite possibly the best two-year-old seen out in the States this year, is not among them, as Barry Irwin, his owner, wants to focus on next year's Kentucky Derby instead. In his absence, Bob Baffert's will be a strong favourite, and Baffert will have high hopes of a big-race double as his unbeaten is fancied for the Juvenile Fillies.

The action is underway in Kentucky at 18.55 with the and there will be previews, pace maps, quotes, betting news, results and more to enjoy here on the blog as the the card unfolds.