Nassau likely next stop for magical Minding

Minding powers clear of Bocca Baciata in the Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Minding looks like getting the chance to break new ground in the QIPCO British Champions Series after confirming her brilliance with a fifth Group One victory at the Curragh  on Sunday.

The outstanding filly was a commanding four and a half length winner from Bocca Baciata in the Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes and afterwards trainer Aidan O’Brien indicated her next outing is likely to be the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on July 30.

Minding has already won two races in the QIPCO British Champions Series – the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Investec Oaks – and if successful in the Nassau Stakes would become the first filly to achieve three wins in the Series since it was launched in 2011.

In the past couple of seasons, Simple Verse and Taghrooda have been among fillies to win two races in the Series.

The only horse to have won more than three Series races in a season is the mighty Frankel, who won four in 2011 and five in 2012.

“She is a great filly. She loves her racing, and is getting very relaxed,” O’Brien said. “Ryan [Moore, her jockey] was delighted with her, and we will look at something like the Nassau.

“She has two options really for her next run, the Irish Oaks and the Nassau, and we are eyeing the Irish Oaks with Even Song.”

He added: “I hope she will stay in training next year, and I’ll certainly plead that she does. She is very talented and progressing all the time.”

Minding, sent off at 1-5, surged clear in the final furlong of the Pretty Polly after the enterprisingly ridden Bocca Baciata had poached a clear lead. The other trio in the race never figured.

Moore added:  “It’s some performance for a filly to run in two Guineas, an Oaks then come here. It’s a tough schedule and to keep her in super shape is a magnificent achievement. Aidan keeps bringing her back and producing her to run.

“She picked up to get there, then we shut down in the last furlong. There was more there again if we needed it.

“She’s a high-class filly and is adaptable with trip and can go on a variety of ground as well. I’m very lucky to ride her.”