Rhododendron’s authoritative two-and-a-quarter-length defeat of her stable companion Hydrangea in the Fillies’ Mile here on Friday was Aidan O’Brien’s 20th Group One or Grade One winner in a remarkable season that still has several more big days ahead.
O’Brien, who also saddled the first three home in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last Sunday, needs five more top-level victories to equal Bobby Frankel’s all-time record of 25 in a calendar year, and he is an even-money chance with William Hill to do so.
“We were a little confused with her [latest] run in the Moyglare [when third behind Intricately, trained by his son Joseph],” O’Brien said. “We always thought she was a little bit better than the other filly [Hydrangea, who finished second] at home. You couldn’t be sure with them but they are two very good-looking fillies out of two very good mares.
“I’m not sure if we will go to America [for the Breeders’ Cup]. They are both in a good place and very healthy and happy at the moment, so it’s an option if the lads want to do it.”
Rhododendron is by Galileo out of Halfway To Heaven, who won the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and is the new favourite for next year’s 1,000 Guineas at 8-1. She also heads the market for the Oaks, at a top price of 10-1.
Elsewhere on the card Mrs Danvers stretched her unbeaten record to five starts with a success in the five-furlong Cornwallis Stakes which was inevitable with a quarter of a mile still to run. Jonathan Portman’s filly broke a track record that had stood since 2002 in the process and she is an obvious contender for the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next season.
