Epsom, England // Minding proved in a different league to her rivals when she overcame significant trouble in-running to hand trainer Aidan O’Brien a sixth win in the English Oaks.
By beating Frankie Dettori and Architecture by a length-and-three-quarters, Minding became the 48th filly to complete the English Oaks and Guineas double.
Harlequeen, ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, was eight lengths back in third.
Godolphin had to suffer missing out on a podium position after Skiffle, who faded markedly in the final 400 metres, was outgunned at the line by Somehow, a stablemate of the winner who acted as pacemaker.
“What can I say? She has speed, class, stamina, a great mind – everything,” O’Brien said.
“Real heart, courage and guts had to come into it, but she had it in abundance.”
Ridden with cool precision by regular partner Ryan Moore for much of the first 1,600m of the 2,400m Classic, the pair were badly hampered 800m from home but as is so often the case the English rider bided his time.
As Moore suffered traffic problems, Dettori sensed the difficulties in behind and moved his mount up to tackle Somehow up front.
Moore saw a gap up the inside rail and once in the clear Minding dug deep to collar Architecture before his mount defied her critics who believed she would not stay to gallop on strongly all the way to the line.
“I had a charmed run, initially, but then they boys all wanted to get moving and came in on top of me,” Moore said.
“Her class got her out of trouble but she’ll be effective over shorter trips, for sure.”
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