WHEN a broodmare prospect of Minding’s ability (nine wins from 13 runs and never out of the first three, seven Group 1s including a Guineas and an Oaks and a QE2) and with Minding’s pedigree (out of Coronation Stakes and Matron Stakes winner Lillie Langtry) retires from racing, your initial inclination is to think Galileo. Or it would be if she was not by Galileo herself. She has myriad options. She can choose her dance partner. She is the belle of the ball.

NORTHERN DANCER

It was interesting listening to the options for Minding that have been kicked around by the breeding experts in the last 10 days. War Front is one. War Front is by Danzig, who is by Northern Dancer. Fastnet Rock is another, and Fastnet Rock is by Danehill, who is by Danzig who is by Northern Dancer.

Excelebration is by Exceed And Excel, who is by Danehill, who is by Danzig, who is by Northern Dancer. Caravaggio is by Scat Daddy, who is by Johannesburg, who is by Hennessy, who is by Storm Cat, who is by Storm Bird, who is by Northern Dancer.

Minding herself is by Galileo, who is by Sadler’s Wells, who is by Northern Dancer. He has had some impact, that Northern Dancer.

Muxed ip

TO the phrases, ‘Don’t upset the apple tart’ and ‘The world is your lobster’, now add, ‘I wouldn’t trust her with a bargepole.’ Strange the way things get muxed ip sometimes.