‘Diamond’ In the Rough: Mullins Runner Causes Major Surprise in the Turf

[Wandering Eyes]

A little more than two months ago, ETHICAL DIAMOND (IRE) (g, 5, Awtaad {Ire}–Pearl Diamond {Ger}, by Areion {Ger}) was defeating 21 other stayers in the Ebor Handicap at York. Not long before that, he was competing in hurdling events at Punchestown, at Cheltenham and at Ayr. On Saturday afternoon on a stage as big and bright as the Breeders' Cup, the Willie Mullins galloper routed Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and a field including the irrepressible Minnie Hauk (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar.

With newly crowned Irish champion rider Dylan Browne McMonagle at the controls from the widest gate in 14 and crunched from 50-1 into just under 28-1 at the off, the 5-year-old was dropped straight out the back of the field to race ahead of only Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) as Silawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) led at a strong tempo.

Last but one under the line for the first time, Ethical Diamond was patiently handled near the tail as Goliath prompted the pace with Rebel's Romance running the rails into the final turn. Taking a run between Wimbledon Hawkeye (Ire) (Kameko) and Hill Road (Quality Road) nearing the stretch, Ethical Diamond was steered out six or seven wide under a full head of steam and rolled home to post an improbable upset. Rebel's Romance was second ahead of his stable companion El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in third.

Minnie Hauk was sent into the lead in upper stretch by Christophe Soumillion, but a long and arduous campaign may have caught up with her in the final furlong, as she flattened out to finish sixth as the betting favorite.

Sales history: 320,000gns HRA '23 TATJUL. Lifetime Record: 15-5-1-1. O-H O S Syndicate; B-Mr W J Kennedy; T-Willie Mullins

 

Turf magic in motion! Ethical Diamond storms home a #BC25 champion in the @Longines #BreedersCup Turf!

Congrats to the connections!

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle
T: William P. Mullins
O: H O S Syndicate
B: Mr W. J. Kennedy pic.twitter.com/T8pRSWn1HT

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 1, 2025

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