Aidan O'Brien reached 99 wins at Royal Ascot with a remarkable victory by Victorious, a filly who is blind in one eye. The Coolmore-owned daughter of Wootton Bassett started as a well-backed 100-30 favorite for the Queen Mary Stakes.
The filly had won her first two starts over six furlongs at Naas, but was dropped back to five furlongs for Wednesday's Group 2 race. She rose to the challenge, coming from behind to sweep past Senorita Bonita and American filly Ruiva, securing her trainer's 99th Royal Ascot triumph.
Jockey Ryan Moore's Praise
Jockey Ryan Moore said: "She is a gorgeous filly. I think the world of her. She's got a lot of talent. She's actually blind in her left eye so she can't see anything on that side. She is a sweetheart. She has also shown plenty, a very natural filly with a lot of pace and loads of quality. She is so straightforward, she is a complete professional. She's done everything beautiful so far."
Trainer Aidan O'Brien's Comments
O'Brien, who had two winners on the opening day, added: "We thought she was very classy. Going back to five in this type of race sometimes you can get caught out. She is a filly with one eye so she always lacked a little bit of confidence but she has been coming along lovely. Her confidence has been growing, Ryan taught her and helped her through the whole thing. He kind of reassured along until he really wanted her."
"We've been careful not to frighten her. Before you get her into a situation you show her with the eye she can see with. Coolmore did a great job before she came to us. Like a human being, you let them see first. Ryan nursed her, got her out to the middle and when he needed to he said go."
