Globetrotter Highland Reel, third to Winx in the 2015 Cox Plate, has won the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita for trainee Aidan O'Brien and jockey Seamie Heffernan.

After last year's Cox Plate, Highland Reel travelled to Hong Kong where he won the Vase on International day.

He was invited to compete in this year's Cox Plate but instead went to France where he finished second to stablemate Found in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October before travelling to the United States for the Breeders' Cup on Saturday Sunday (AEDT).

"I was on a horse that handled the conditions well, the tight track and the fast ground. He is straightforward and is very sound, and he stays hardy," Heffernan said.

"If given the choice I'd have ridden Found, it's nice to be on the team and nice to get the opportunities."

Found finished third in what was her final race.

"Seamie has given this horse a star ride. The horse has thrived every month this year," O'Brien said.

"Ryan (Moore) was delighted with Found. He wasn't over-hard on her on her last race before retirement and she has been a great asset to us. She has been a very special mare."