MV Magnier feels Coolmore have plenty to look forward to next year with leading juveniles Air Force Blue and Minding.
Air Force Blue picked up the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt award at the Horse of the Year awards on Tuesday night, while Minding was the top juvenile filly.
Both horses are trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by the Coolmore operation, and both hold leading Classic claims for 2016.
Following a runner-up placing behind Buratino in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot on just his second start, Air Force Blue went on to complete a Group 1 hat-trick in the Phoenix Stakes, the National Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes.
Minding, meanwhile, was beaten by Ballydoyle in the Debutante Stakes before turning the tables in on her stablemate in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and then ending the season with an emphatic success in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
Magnier, son of John Magnier, one of the Coolmore owners, told Racing UK: “They’re two very good horses. Minding looks like she’s got a very bright future and, if you listen to Ryan [Moore] and Aidan, Air Force Blue is going to have a very bright future.
“There is a lot to look forward to and to keep us warm during the winter.”
Coolmore also saw Legatissimo named the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year at the awards after David Wachman’s filly won three Group 1 races, including the 1000 Guineas, and finished runner-up in another three.
Magnier said: “It’s been fantastic. We’ve been very lucky to have the horses we’ve had all year, in fairness to Dave and Aidan and everybody really, it’s been a fantastic year.”
