Minding’s blinding as O’Brien closes in on record haul
MINDING capped an incredible season for trainer Aidan O’Brien with victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and the good news is that he will be training her again next year.
The half-length victory for the daughter of Galileo was a seventh at Group One level and fifth of a season which started with success in the 1,000 Guineas on May 1.
In between there have been wins at a mile and a quarter as well as at a mile and a half in the Oaks at Epsom.
Alone, Minding has supplied almost a quarter of O’Brien’s 21 group one successes on the Flat this year.
With one to add over jumps, she will be largely responsible for O’Brien breaking the record of 25 Group One wins in a year held by late American trainer Bobby Frankel if the next few weeks pan out as the Irishman hopes.
Little wonder he described Minding, the first filly to win the QEII Stakes since Milligram in 1987, as ‘incredible’ before adding he hoped she would still be around in 2017. O’Brien will get his wish.
M V Magnier, speaking on behalf of the Coolmore Stud partners who own Minding, said: ‘We will keep her in training as long as everything is alright with her. We will give her the chance to win another five group ones!’
Victory in the QE II Stakes for Minding was sealed with a decisive move two furlongs out under Ryan Moore, surprisingly riding his first Champions Day winner.
She surged clear of strong-travelling ultimate runner-up Ribchester. Galileo Gold, the 2,000 Guineas winner, again pulled too hard and blew his chance. Frankie Dettori’s fifth-placed mount was already cooked when he was bumped by fourthplaced Awtaad.
Great though she is, Minding probably can’t claim to be the best horse in Europe.
That title surely lies with Almanzor after his decisive two-length success from O’Brien’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Found.
So on top was the 11-8 favourite, who also beat Found in the Irish Champion Stakes in September and landed the French Derby in June, that jockey Christophe Soumillon put down his whip and concentrated on patting his mount down the neck in the last 50 yards.