O’Brien Paused on 99 Royal Ascot Wins

A Royal Ascot race that had eluded Ballydoyle for so long has quickly become another stage for Aidan O’Brien’s juvenile strength, with Victorious following last year’s Queen Mary Stakes breakthrough by True Love and edging her trainer to within one winner of a century at the meeting. According to TDN, the Wootton Bassett filly, already carrying the distinction of being a TDN Rising Star and the unusual challenge of having no sight in her left eye, produced the decisive late surge in the Group 2 five-furlong contest to give O’Brien his 99th Royal Ascot victory, and she did it in a manner that reflected both raw ability and careful handling. O’Brien said “she’s incredible” and explained that the stable had always regarded her as a high-class filly, though her lack of vision had naturally made confidence an important part of her education. Dropping back to five furlongs in a race of this nature can leave inexperienced youngsters searching for rhythm, but Ryan Moore gradually gave her the reassurance she needed, easing her into a smaller group, allowing her to find her place and only asking for maximum effort once she understood where she was. “She doesn’t have any sight in her left eye, so he slowly got her out and reassured her all the time,” O’Brien said, adding that Moore had loved her when riding her at Naas and that the stable had been hopeful rather than certain she could put everything together over the minimum trip. The trainer also pointed to the work done at home, saying the people around her had been “very careful not to frighten her” and had taught her gradually, which made the victory as much a reflection of patient horsemanship as talent. Moore was equally taken, describing Victorious as “a gorgeous filly” and “just a sweetheart”, while also stressing that she had always shown plenty and behaved like “the complete professional.” Her win also continued the influence of last month’s Naas Trials card, with Victorious becoming the second Royal Ascot winner this year to emerge from that meeting after Coventry Stakes winner Great Barrier Reef. The pedigree only deepens the sense that this result may prove more than a precocious sprinting highlight, as Victorious is the fourth foal and fourth winner out of Heaven On Earth, a Galileo full-sister to Group 1 winners Minding, Tuesday and Empress Josephine, as well as Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial winner Kissed By Angels. Her second dam is Coronation Stakes and Matron Stakes heroine Lillie Langtry, while the family also includes National Stakes winner Henry Longfellow, Staffordstown Stud Stakes winner Sugar Island and Give Thanks Stakes runner-up Mother Nature.