ASCOT STATE OF MIND
Bouncing back off a third in a stellar renewal of last month's G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown, Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) provided trainer Aidan O'Brien with a 21st top-level success of the season, returning to the one-mile trip, in Saturday's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot. Racing under a firm grip in a forward third from flagfall, the 7-4 favourite quickened to the fore entering the final quarter mile and would not be denied under a late drive to prevail by a half length from G1 Prix Jacques le Marois victor Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), with Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) one length back in third. “I'm really delighted with her because she's had a hard season and to bring her back to a mile is some achievement,” expressed jockey Ryan Moore after registering a first Champions Day victory. “She was just too good and too strong for them today. She has lots of pace and masses of talent.”
Saturday, Ascot, Britain
QUEEN ELIZABETH II S.-G1, £1,157,525, ASC, 10-15, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:38.53, gd.
1–MINDING (IRE), 124, f, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 7-9.5f, G1SW-Eng & Ire, $1,361,940), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hoity Toity (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Hiwaayati (GB), by Shadeed
O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £656,432. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Ire, 12-8-3-1, $3,129,760. *Full to Kissed by Angels (Ire), GSW-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ribchester (Ire), 127, c, 3, Iffraaj (GB)–Mujarah (Ire), by Marju (Ire). (€78,000 Wlg '13 GOFNOV; €105,000 Ylg '14 GOFORB). O-Godolphin; B-A. Thompson & M. O'Brien (IRE); T-Richard Fahey. £248,868.
3–Lightning Spear (GB), 130, h, 5, Pivotal (GB)–Atlantic Destiny (Ire), by Royal Academy. (260,000gns Ylg '12 TAOCT). O-Qatar Racing Limited; B-Newsells Park Stud (GB); T-David Simcock. £124,550.
Margins: HF, 1, 2 1/4. Odds: 1.75, 3.50, 9.00.
Also Ran: Awtaad (Ire), Galileo Gold (GB), Stormy Antarctic (GB), Adaay (Ire), Hathal, Hit It a Bomb, Breton Rock (Ire), Jet Setting (Ire), Mitchum Swagger (GB), Barchan. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Registering top-level juvenile scores in last term's G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Fillies' Mile, Minding maintained her winning sequence in Newmarket's May 1 1000 Guineas on sophomore return, but was narrowly denied by Jet Setting (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) in a soft-ground renewal of the Irish equivalent at The Curragh three weeks later. She claimed a second Classic success in the June 3 G1 Epsom Oaks, adding to that tally in the June 26 G1 Irish Oaks back at The Curragh, and made it a half dozen Group 1 wins in Goodwood's July 30 G1 Nassau S. before enduring a reversal of fortune behind the G1 Champion S. exacta of Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Leopardstown's Sept. 10 G1 Irish Champion S. last time. The bay becomes the first distaffer to annex this contest since Milligram (GB) (Mill Reef) in 1987. “She's an incredible filly and it's unbelievable what she's achieved,” enthused trainer Aidan O'Brien after claiming a fourth renewal. “The last day she worked, Seamus [Heffernan] got off her and we couldn't believe it. It's a big team effort and I can't say how delighted I am for everybody. She's an incredible filly–a mile, a mile-and-a-half then bring her back to a mile in an all-aged Group 1 against the boys–they have to be special to do those things. I'd imagine that would be it for this year and the lads have talked about bringing her back next year. To stay a mile-and-a-half and then do that over a mile, they have to be very special.” Part-owner also heaped praise on the performance, adding, “She's just a super-special filly and it's a feeling of absolute euphoria. Aidan has kept her going all year, which is an incredible piece of training, and to keep her going from winning the Guineas to winning all the races in between is something special.”
Reflecting on the runner-up finish of G1 Prix Jacques le Marois hero Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), trainer Richard Fahey said, “Maybe he over-raced a little bit. He's a horse with a high cruising speed and they can't go quick enough early on. I've huge admiration for the winner, she's an amazing filly.” David Simcock was also in high spirits after Sheikhzayedroad's earlier win and the running-on effort of G2 Celebration Mile victor Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) to hit the board in this. “It was a career best and I'm delighted with that,” he said. “He quickened well to make the ground up and, in hindsight, he'd have been better off racing on the other side [of the track], but I'm very proud.”
Minding's dam, MG1SW highweight Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), has produced nothing but fillies in all five matings with Galileo since retiring to the paddocks off wins in the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Matron S., including G3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial victress Kissed by Angels (Ire), and has also produced the 2-year-old maiden filly How (Ire), who ran sixth in July's G3 Princess Margaret S., followed by a yearling filly and a filly foal. She hails from the family which includes MGSW sires Great Commotion, Lead on Time and R. B. Chesne (GB).
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