Minding goes from last to first in England's Nassau Stakes

The prolific 3-year-old filly Minding won her sixth Group 1 race in her 10th start in Saturday’s $770,000 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse in England, further emphasizing her status as Europe’s leading female.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, Minding (1-5) overcame a touch of trouble to rally from last in a field of five to win the race at 1 1/4 miles on turf by 1 1/4 lengths over 16-1 Queen’s Trust. Jemayal, a 16-1 shot who won the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary in France in May, finished third.

Minding stalked the early pace, but was shuffled back to last midway through the race. She recovered to reach the front in the final quarter-mile.

“I’ve had to get myself out of trouble early and then try and keep it simple,” Moore said. “It wasn’t really ideal for her. I was in front two (furlongs) out and I know the second filly is quite good.”

Minding has won 7 of 10 starts for Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor. By Galileo, Minding won two Group 1 races as a 2-year-old in 2015, and has won four of five starts this year, all in Group 1 races.

She won the Group 1 English 1000 Guineas in May before finishing second in the Irish 2000 Guineas later that month. In June, she won two Group 1 races: the English Oaks and her first start against older fillies and mares in the Pretty Poly Stakes in Ireland.

Minding has won Group 1 races ranging in distances from seven furlongs to 1 1/2 miles, leading to numerous opportunities in coming months, trainer Aidan O’Brien said.

“She is very versatile,” O’Brien said. “We were a little bit worried about the small field today. It can get tactical and messy, but Ryan handled it great and worked it out great.

“The great thing about her is that she conserves herself now, because she has become very professional. She knows when she is asked to go and only does what she has to do.

“This is a great filly. She has danced every dance. She was special as a 2-year-old, won well in the (English) 1000 Guineas, and has kept on progressing.”

The Nassau Stakes was the leading race on the fifth and final day of the Goodwood meeting, which drew more than 100,000 including a sold-out crowd of 25,000 on Saturday, track officials said in a statement.