Champions Day next for Minding

Minding has a choice of three options at Ascot on Champions Day. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Aidan O’Brien has indicated that Minding could feature among the star cast at Ascot on Champions Day after ruling the star filly out of next weekend’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

O’Brien said on Sunday: “Minding may run next at Ascot. She has three options with the Fillies & Mares, Champion Stakes and the QEII.”

Minding has been among the stars of this year’s QIPCO British Champions Series and shown great versatility, winning Group 1 contests over a mile, ten furlongs and a mile and a half.

She won the QIPCO 1000 Guineas in emphatic fashion at Newmarket in May, the Investec Oaks at Epsom and Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

On her latest start, the six-time Group 1 winner was third to Almanzor in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes.

Minding is a best-priced 14-1 for the Champion Stakes; 20-1 for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and 20-1 for the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. All three races are sponsored by QIPCO.

Meanwhile, Fascinating Rock, winner of the Champion Stakes last year, may return to defend his crown. Dermot Weld, his trainer, has indicated he will run at Ascot or in the Arc.