Minerva makes it four for Ballydoyle The Ballydoyle domination continued at Leopardstown today as Minerva made it four from four for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. Ronan Whelan bounced out in front on the 4/7 shot and she proved too strong for her rivals in the seven furlong contest. The Frankel filly kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a comprehensive three-and-a-half length success over newcomer, and stablemate, Garden Party. The winner had been placed four times, including when third in the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh late last month. Stable representative Chris Armstrong said:- “Obviously she had the form in the book coming here and she had a lovely run last time at the Curragh. “It looked a very winnable race. Ronan gave her a lovely ride, got her into a lovely rhythm and let her bowl away. “The confidence will do her the world of good. She’s a filly that Aidan has thought a lot of for a while. “I’d say that’s probably her done for the year. She’s another one that will probably come back in the spring for a Guineas trial and we’ll see where she fits in.”
