Hermosa Is All Class In 1,000 Guineas

Aidan O’Brien and his forever friend Galileo continued their prolific record in the British Classics when capturing Sunday’s QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket with the top-class Hermosa (3f Galileo - Beauty Is Truth, by Pivotal).

It was an open contest, with the field including favourite and Nell Gwynn Stakes heroine Qabala (Scat Daddy), Fillies Mile winner Iridessa (Ruler Of The World), top-class two-year-old Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) and Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial winner Lady Kaya, to name just a few. However, the market’s memory was short, many seemingly forgetting Hermosa’s juvenile placings in the three Group 1 contests, while her pedigree also pointed to top-level success, being a full-sister to the same connections’ dual Group 1 winning three-year-old Hydrangea (Galileo).

Wayne Lordan took the ride and rode his mount to make all, producing impressive fractions up the Rowley Mile and while many eyes focussed on those traveling with ease, Hermosa was not for beating; as she dug deep to maintain her lead and beat Lady Kaya by a length.

The winning trainer afterwards referred to Hermosa’s pedigree, commenting, “The boss [John Magnier] always says it's all about the blood, it's all about the pedigree, that's the roadmap. She won't mind stepping up in trip and it’s an awful advantage to us to have Galileo – his influence is going to be forever and ever, it's very strong in the dams as well. It’s that will to win that makes them so tough, they’re never beaten. When anything comes to challenge they put their heads down and fight to the end – they’ll go down on their knees for you.”

Galileo can also claim some responsibility for the previous day’s 2,000 Guineas victor Magna Grecia, who strode out an impressive two and a half length winner under Donnacha O’Brien. Last year’s Group 1 Futurity Trophy Stakes winner was bred by Woodnook Farm out of the Galileo mare Cabaret, a Group 3 winner herself.

Hermosa, meanwhile is bred on the successful Galileo/Pivotal cross, also responsible for producing Group 1 winners Magical and Rhododendron. She becomes Galileo’s 76th Group/Grade 1 winner, a tally reaching ever-closer to Danehill’s record of 84.