Air Force Blue leads European two-year-old rankings

Air Force Blue romps to success in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last year. Image courtesy of Racingfotos.com.

Aidan O’Brien dominates the 2015 Longines European two-year-old rankings announced today, with his leading QIPCO Guineas Festival contenders Air Force Blue and Minding taking two of the top three spots.

Air Force Blue, a fancied favourite for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas in April, has been given a rating of 124, while runaway Dubai Fillies Mile heroine Minding sits on a mark of 120.

Aidan O’Brien’s top-class juveniles from last season are split by the two-time Group 1 winner Shalaa, who Frankie Dettori described as “the best two-year-old I’ve sat on in my life”. John Gosden’s leading three-year-old hope is likely to be campaigned for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in 2015.

Other notable potential Series contenders in the top ten include Godolphin’s Buratino and Emotionless, the Mark Johnston-trained Lumiere and Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes runner-up Acapulco.