HORSES
John Whitaker’s former top ride has been put down aged 27. The 2002 Horse of the Year Show puissance winner enjoyed top-level international success with John, including fourth place in the World Cup grand prix in 2000, and was also ridden by Robert Whitaker and Guy Williams during his career.
The seven-time Group Onewinning filly has been retired at the age of four as a result of a pastern injury. Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who described Minding as one of the best fillies he had ever trained, said she will go to stud, after a career in which she won nine races and more than £2m.
Chris Burton came second in the open intermediate at Eridge on the 11-year-old mare, a new ride for him. She was previously campaigned by Lauren Shannon, with whom she finished second in the Bramham CCI3* last year.