Winter completes Guineas double in style

Winter emulated her stable-mate Churchill when completing the Guineas double in style at the Curragh this afternoon.

The Galileo filly travelled supremely well throughout the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas before asserting over a furlong out for a comprehensive four-and-three-quarter-length success.

It was a clean sweep in a classic yet again for Aidan O'Brien as Roly Poly flashed home to take the second just ahead of stable-mate Hydrangea in a tight finish for the runner-up honours.

There was never any doubt about the winner however as Winter swept aside her rivals with ease.

Ryan Moore 's mount was always travelling beautifully in behind the leaders and hit the front over two furlongs from home.

The 8/13 favourite was asked to stretch clear before the furlong pole and galloped on strongly to settle matters in memorable fashion.

She's good - Winter wins the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas! @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/ddDbGWz5UX

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 28, 2017

“You'd be delighted with her. David (Wachman) always felt she was very good. Wayne loved her a lot last year and that's why he rode her in Leopardstown,” said O'Brien.

“He was full of it at Leopardstown and was looking forward to riding her in the Guineas and she progressed very well from Leopardstown to Newmarket.

“When Wayne rode her in Newmarket he said he was going to be happy to go early as he felt she got a mile well.

“Wayne was riding her in all her work and we felt she was after progressing again but you never can be sure. She's a big filly and she's maturing physically very well.

“Ryan was very impressed with her. He said she was as easy a classic winner as you could believe.

“If everything went well you'd be thinking of the Coronation with her, because she is a good strong traveller.

“Obviously the lads will decide that but I'd imagine that will be a nice step for her next.

“She's some traveller and when Ryan let her down she just went.

“David thought she was his best two-year-old. Obviously we were looking forward to getting her and when we had Wayne coming with her it was a big advantage as he knew her inside out.

“He rides her in all her work, and Dermot rides all the canters.

“Hydrangea likes bowling along and is a great filly to have in a race as she goes along and it usually takes a lot of the messing out of the race if you have a natural leader.”

On the achievement of doing the double double in the Guineas O'Brien added:-

“It's for everyone really. Dermot rides her at home and does a great job with her. A lot of people work very hard.

“Over 20 years if I named out all the people I'd only forget people. As each horse comes along there is a team of people around them. We'd be very grateful to a lot of people.”

When asked to compare the winner to Minding O'Brien said:

“She's progressing very well and who knows. It's very hard to compare at this stage. I'd imagine she'll get a good high rating after that.

“The only difference is that Minding won a Group 1 at two.

Asked if Winter would get a mile-and-a-half he added:-

“She might. She's out of a very fast mare but she's by Galileo and very rarely do his stock lack for stamina so it's definitely possible. She'll definitely get a mile-and-a-quarter, you'd imagine, when she's getting a mile well here.

“If everything is well and she's goes to the Coronation then you have to make your mind up where you have to go after that.

“Do you go to Goodwood for the mile-and-a-quarter or do you go to the Falmouth and those races.

“The lads will talk about it and see what they want to do.”

Moore said of the winner:-

“It was a very straight-forward race for her. Everytime I asked her she kept finding and ran all the way to the line.”

Paddy Power shortened Winter to 10/11 from 5/2 for the Coronation Stakes.

Pat Smullen received a day ban for careless riding after an incident early in the race.

His mount Rehana crossed over after three furlongs causing some interference to Hydrangea and in turn causing Bean Feasa to be hampered on the rail.

Jim Bolger, trainer of Bean Feasa, told Attheraces:- "It should never have happened and it was very obviously dangerous riding. It was disgraceful riding. The filly is fine but it could have been otherwise.

"There was absolutely no need for it There was absolutely no need for it whatsoever.

"Pat Smullen had the whole track under him and he decided to play jockey and take out the two on his inside. There is no excuse for that carry on."