By Aidan O’Brien‘s standards, his drought in the Newmarket Classics was extensive heading into this season. His thirst will have been quenched by Sunday’s 1000 Guineas performance by True Love.
O’Brien possessed unenviable riches going into the fillies’ opening Classic. Nevertheless, that has not prevented his charges underperforming on the Rowley Mile in recent seasons. Indeed, both of his runners this year, the leafing duo n the market, were previous Group 1 winners, but one still managed to run below her best.
Precise, sent off the 9/5 favourite, could finish only seventh under Ryan Moore. Like so many Ballydoyle Guineas participants in the last decade, she perhaps paid for a lack of race fitness. This was her seasonal reappearance.
True Love, meanwhile, had recorded a comeback victory in the Group 3 Priory Belle Stakes at Leopardstown. That 7f success under a penalty was emphatic on her first run beyond 6f. Backers could suddenly have plenty of faith that she would stay 1m.
So it proved. Under Wayne Lordan, True Love’s acceleration was too much for her rivals as she powered to a one-and-three-quarter length winning margin. Karl Burke’s Evolutionist was a game runner-up but trailed in the winner’s wake.
“Wayne gave her a beautiful ride” – O’Brien
Her prior racing experience marks True Love as an unusual 1000 Guineas winner. Her Group 1 success as a juvenile came over 6f in the Cheveley Park Stakes, while she had also won a Group contest over the minimum trip of 5f at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien outlined his fears on that basis when speaking afterwards, as reported by the BBC.
“You couldn’t be sure she was going to get a mile, she’s a Queen Mary winner and it’s very unusual for a Queen Mary winner to get a mile. But Wayne gave her a beautiful ride.”
Lordan is so often the able deputy for Ballydoyle. He was in the saddle when guiding Lambourn to a front-running masterclass in the 2025 Epsom Derby. Ryan Moore was on Delacroix that day and rode Precise at Newmarket on Sunday.
Unsurprisingly, Lordan was glowing in his review of True Love’s triumph.
“Stepping up to the mile was a little bit of a question mark for her because she is a filly with loads of pace, but I got into a nice position and she settled really well – then it was just a matter of time before letting her move forward.
“She’s got everything about her. She is progressing all the time.”
The Irish 1000 Guineas could be next for the daughter of No Nay Never. If not, the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot surely awaits.