Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could take on fellow Classic winners Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown a week on Saturday.
The winner of four Group 1 contests this season, including the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Investec Oaks, Minding is also entered for the G1 Coolmore Matron S., which is restricted to fillies and mares, on the same day, but trainer Aidan O'Brien has not ruled out the possibility of his star filly taking on colts and older horses.
He said, “She'll run in either the Matron or the Champion Stakes. The lads will make the decision closer the time, but it's very possible she'll go to the Champion Stakes. We're very happy with her. She's had a nice bit of time since her last run. Her work is very good and physically she's doing very well.”
O'Brien also issued an update on the progressive juvenile Churchill ((Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who will bid to add a Group 1 strike to his last three victories in stakes company, including the G2 Futurity S. on Aug. 21, when he lines up for the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. on Irish Champions Weekend.
“We're looking forward to the National Stakes with him. We think it will suit him well and physically he's doing very well,” said the trainer.
“We've thought he would be a Guineas horse. He's a horse with a lot of speed. He's a big powerful individual. He's built like a big miler so I'm no sure how much more he'll stay.”
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