Another TDN Rising Star For Wootton Bassett And Ballydoyle As Simply Astounding Dazzles

[Wandering Eyes]

Naas's opening six-furlong fillies' maiden on Monday has a rich recent history and there was a lot to suggest that Ballydoyle's Simply Astounding (Wootton Bassett {GB}) can add another chapter. The fourth foal out of the high-achiever Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the 11-8 favourite was out smartly and able to keep close tabs on the leading pair with Ryan Moore enjoying a straightforward trip. In front two out, the homebred drew away along with the well-regarded Cape Sounion (Ire) (No Nay Never) to beat that Donnacha O'Brien-trained rival by 1 1/4 lengths. There was a yawning seven-length gap to the third, Glitter And Glory (Ire) (Lucky Vega {Ire}) from the Jessica Harrington yard.

Becoming her sire's 11th TDN Rising Star, Simply Astounding joins the likes of Twain (Ire), Maranoa Charlie (Fr), Unquestionable (Fr) and River Tiber (Ire) in that category. This maiden was won in 2017 by the future luminary Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and a year later by this stable's subsequent G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Aidan O'Brien was not inclined to dampen enthusiasm afterwards. “She's a lovely filly and Sue named her that way because she's highly thought of,” he said.

“Everyone has always been happy with her at home–she's been very natural in everything she's done and Ryan was over the moon with her there,” he added. “Given normal improvement, she'll probably be a very good filly. I know Donnacha liked his filly and they went a long way away from the third. She could come back here for the Ascot Trials Day and then head to the Albany [at Royal Ascot] and afterwards step up in trip. Ryan said she's going to really enjoy stepping up later.”

Minding, who also broke her maiden over six albeit on her second start, went on to become one of the operation's best racemares when racking up seven Group 1 wins including the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Her son Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also scored at the highest level in the 2023 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, with her dam Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) a star both on the track and in her second career for Coolmore.

@coolmorestud's filly (Wootton Bassett x Minding) makes a winning debut in the @IrishEBF_ Fillies' Maiden @NaasRacecourse

Previous winners of this include Fairyland (2018) and Alpha Centauri (2017) …. pic.twitter.com/WjDmihWil0

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 28, 2025

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