BC Internationals: Mile contender Mondialiste

Photo courtesy of WEG/Michael Burns Photography.

Mondialiste was bred and originally raced by Wertheimer et Frere, so an interesting subplot to the 2015 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) is that he's likely to face another Wertheimer homebred in Impassable (and less likely to clash with Bawina, whose first preference is the Filly & Mare Turf [G1]).

Failing to progress after a third in the 2013 Prix Jean Prat (G1), Mondialiste was sold by his breeders for $259,464 at the 2014 Arqana July Sale. He has found new life since switching to trainer David O'Meara, beginning with a near-miss in the Lincoln in his debut for new connections:

 

The son of Galileo was subsequently third in both the Earl of Sefton (G3) at Newmarket and the Paradise at Ascot, and 14th in a heritage handicap at the Royal meeting (click links for the replays).

Mondialiste turned the proverbial corner in the July 26 Pomfret at Pontefract, where he hacked up by 10 lengths. He succeeded versus better company in the Strensall (G3) at York, setting himself up for a career-best in the Woodbine Mile (G1):