2011 Breeders' Cup Results: Goldikova a Legend Despite Losing in Cup Mile

Despite having won the past three Mile races at the annual Breeders' Cup, six-year-old favorite Goldikova came up short on Saturday, finishing third in the $2 million event behind long-shot Court Vision.

Turallure, who had 11-1 pre-race odds of taking the Mile crown, finished second just behind Court Vision, who was a 64-1 shot, in a photo-worthy finish.  

Court Visions won despite having the second-most unlikely shot of any winner in Breeders' Cup history.

However, after the race, the story quickly became the future and legacy of Goldikova, the mare with one of the most impressive careers in horse racing.

Goldikova retired after Saturday's race, ending her dominant career, which spanned five seasons and included three consecutive wins over some of the world's best in the Breeders' Cup Mile from 2008 to 2010.

The 2010 European Horse of the Year won nearly $7 million over her brilliant career and sadly ends it with her first ever loss at the Breeders' Cup.

"Now she's gone. That's life. That's racing," said trainer Freddy Head on Goldikova's retirement.

The three-time Cup Mile winner ends her career with a mark that won't soon be touched by another race horse. Not since 1993 has a horse even repeated once as the Mile winner, and only two horses in the Cup's 26-year history have ever won the event twice.

It's safe to say that we will never see another horse as dominantly consistent as Goldikova.