Comanche Brave Sprints to Victory in Flying Five

We have been crying out for a proper sprinter on this side of the world for quite a while now and maybe, just maybe, we have one now. Comanche Brave (IRE) backed up his stylish success in the July Cup (G1) at Newmarket with an even silkier performance in the Sept. 13 Flying Five Stakes (G1) at the Curragh, bursting clear for a decisive victory over American Affair (GB) once a gap opened entering the final furlong. He is getting better and, more importantly, he is getting quicker. It sometimes takes sprinters a bit of time to hone their craft and Comanche Brave—who provided Billy Loughnane with his first winner in Ireland—has certainly got better with time. Victory was some compensation for Donnacha O'Brien after A Boy Named Susie (IRE) suffered a nightmare passage in Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes (G1) and Comanche Brave could now be on for a crack at the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) Oct. 31 at Keeneland after clinching an automatic, fees-paid berth through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win And You're In. O'Brien said of the 5-2 favorite: "He was very good and Billy gave him a lovely ride. I'm very pleased for Mr Almuhaideb and for all the team at home—they've done a great job with this horse. "He's getting better and Billy said 5 furlongs was definitely his trip. I was worried about the ground today, but obviously that wasn't any problem. He's just a very good, fast horse." The winning trainer added: "He's not over-big but he's very strong. He's a real fast strider; he has a very strong front on him. He's a very good-looking horse and I'm very lucky to have him. "I think there's a chance he might stay in training again next year, which would be great. I think he's getting better the whole time. He'd be a really nice one to have." As to plans, he said: "He ran in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia, and he still has his passport, so I'm sure we'll travel this winter. "The Breeders' Cup is very possible. We were even discussing whether he'd go for the Breeders' Cup Mile rather than the 5 1/2 (furlong Turf Sprint) at Keeneland, but I'd say looking at that you wouldn't have any worries about the trip. "He's a very valuable horse with a good page. His dam won the Jersey and was third in an Irish Guineas. He's got a great pedigree, is a good-looking horse, and is a dual group 1 winner now." Loughnane was chuffed with the performance and said: "That's my first winner in Ireland and what a way to do it. "My only worry was whether I could get out, but thankfully I got a bit of room and he put the race to bed very easily."