Dermot Weld

Born: July 29, 1948, County Kildare, Ireland

Family: Married, two sons

Breeders’ Cup Record: 16-0-0-0 | $165,000

• Among the world's top trainers; based at Rosewell House, just yards from the entrance of The in Ireland.

• Weld is seeking his first Breeders’ Cup victory after 16 previous runners, including Brief Truce, third in 1992 Mile (G1). Also sent out (IRE), 11th for him in the 1985 Turf (G1) before returning in 1987 to win under the care of U.S. trainer Bill Mott.

• This year, Weld has the Aga Khan’s 4-year-old homebred (IRE), a leading European filly, eyeing the $4 million Longines Turf (G1) despite earning a free berth to the Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Perfect in three 2020 starts, she won the Longines Prix de l’Opera (G1) Oct. 4 at Longchamp, a qualifier for the Filly & Mare Turf via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” series. Prior to that, she captured the Prix Vermeille (G1) Sept. 12 at same racecourse following a Group 2 win Aug. 8 at Cork in Ireland.

• Two previous starters in Filly & Mare Turf were Dimitrova, 12th in 2003 and Eziyra (IRE), sixth in 2018, the latter an Aga Khan homebred.

• Tarnawa is by deceased sire , sire of Castle Lady (IRE), 10th in 2019 Filly & Mare Turf.

• Trainer has top-level wins on four continents, including the U.S.

• Became first European-based trainer to win a jewel in U.S. Triple Crown when Go and Go (IRE) captured 1990 (G1) after an eighth in the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). A contender in 1990 Classic (G1), he was eased in the stretch and did not finish race.

• The Weld-trained Winchester captured the Secretariat (G1) at Arlington Park before his seventh in the 2008 Turf. Dimitrova won the 2003 American Oaks (G1) and also the Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (G1) before her Breeders’ Cup bid. Dress To Thrill (IRE) was eighth in the 2002 Mile (G1), but subsequently took the Matriarch Stakes (G1).

• Scored his first Irish classic with in the 1996 Irish (G1). (IRE) made it a classic double for him that year in Irish Oaks (G1).

• Trained remarkable stayer (IRE), who made history by winning four consecutive editions of Irish St Leger (G1) (2001-2004). Another top-tier stayer, , won 2002 (G1) following 1993 a victory by (IRE), a two-time Irish St. Leger (G1) winner whose life-sized bronze likeness overlooks the Curragh parade ring.

• Actor Brendan Gleeson portrayed Weld in the feature film “The Cup,” about the .

• Got his first string of horses owned by Aga Khan in 2013. Scored Epsom/ double for him in 2016 with (IRE).

• Has won all five Irish classics, his first success coming with in the 1981 Irish Oaks (G1) after taking the English equivalent.

• Weld is a qualified veterinary surgeon who took over the training license following death of his father, trainer Charlie Weld, in 1972.

• Trained (IRE), a homebred of his late mother, Marguerite Weld, to win the 2006 Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1). Mrs. Weld also enjoyed other racing successes, including as breeder of the 2004 Irish Derby (G1) victor (IRE), also trained by her son.

• Has more than 4,000 wins. First winner was Spanner, at Baldoyle, Jan. 1, 1972.

• Rode as an amateur, winning the 1975 Moet Chandon Silver Magnum at Epsom Downs on Lane Court (defeating on Fool's Mate).

• Served as assistant to the legendary Australian trainer Tommy Smith.

• Educated at Newbridge College in County Kildare, Ireland.

• Assistant trainer is son Mark Weld.