Mucho Macho Man, top, holds off Will Take Charge, bottom, and Declaration of War in a photo finish (Jae C. Hong/AP/Press Association Images)

THERE WAS NO Hollywood ending for Aidan O’Brien as Declaration of War came up just short in the $5m Breeders Cup Classic last night.

O’Brien was hoping for a first-ever win in the dirt showpiece but had to be content with third as Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge pipped his four-year-old in a thrilling photo finish.

The official winning distances were a nose and a head.

While O’Brien didn’t get his fairytale finish at Santa Anita, it was a dream come true for 50-year-old jockey Gary Stevens who came out of retirement earlier this year and drove Mucho Macho Man on to win.

YouTube Credit: BCWorldChampionships

Ballydoyle did have something to smile about earlier in the evening as Ryan Moore delivered 12/1 shot Magician with perfect timing to pip English fancy The Fugue on the line and win the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf.

YouTube Credit: BCWorldChampionships

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