LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Ethical Diamond won the $5-million Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Saturday, giving Ireland’s 19-time champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins a stunning first Breeders’ Cup winner and denying Rebel’s Romance a treble.

Under jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, Ethical Diamond swept around the final turn on the outside and pounced just as it appeared favourites Minnie Hauk, Rebel’s Romance and Goliath would be battling it out down the straight.

The 25-1 shot roared past his Group One-winning rivals, sealing the victory in the final furlong.

Rebel’s Romance, trained by Britain’s Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, was second, missing out on an unprecedented third victory in the race after wins in 2022 and last year.

Appleby’s El Cordobes was third as odds-on favourite Minnie Hauk, winner of three Group One races in a five-race win streak this year, faded to sixth.

Mullins himself could barely believe it. The trainer said winning the Grand National with his son Patrick riding remained his greatest achievement but “this might come second-best”.

“I thought Dylan had gone mad going outside, but he said he was going to do that and a furlong down that was it.

“I couldn’t believe it. I looked at where he was and the speed he was going and I said, ‘This is going to be on.’”