[Cannon Shell]

Gitano Hernando, 3, had raced just six times prior to the Goodwood, shipped over from Great Britain for the race, and was facing Grade 1 company for the first time. Irwin said that running in the Breeders' Cup following such an ambitious schedule would "compromise his future."

"The colt just ran too hard last time and we don't feel comfortable bringing him back in a month," Irwin said. "We feel that he is a prime candidate for the World Cup in Dubai next spring and that the risk to the colt by running him back at such a high level next time is too great."