True Love stormed to a commanding victory in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, handing trainer Aidan O'Brien his eighth win in the prestigious fillies' Classic.
Ridden by Wayne Lordan, the 5-1 shot powered clear in the final furlong of the one-mile race, finishing one and three-quarter lengths ahead of 16-1 outsider Evolutionist. Venetian Lace came home third at 33-1, while hot favorite Precise (9-5) – another O'Brien runner – trailed in seventh.
Lordan, who notched his third 1,000 Guineas win after previous successes on Winter (2017) and Hermosa (2019), praised True Love's temperament and progress.
"Stepping up to the mile was a little bit of a question mark for her because she is a filly with loads of pace, but I got into a nice position and she settled really well – then it was just a matter of time before letting her move forward," he told ITV Sport. "She's got everything about her. She is progressing all the time."
Owner and breeder Michael Tabor admitted even O'Brien had doubts about True Love's stamina before the race.
"I am speechless," Tabor said. "This morning, speaking to him [O'Brien], he wasn't over confident to say the least, either about True Love or Precise. We thought there was a doubt about True Love getting the trip... but year in, year out he produces the goods."
True Love, who had already proven herself as a Group One-winning two-year-old in the Cheveley Park Stakes, justified O'Brien's decision to step her up in distance. The Irish trainer remarked: "You couldn't be sure she was going to get a mile, she's a Queen Mary winner and it's very unusual for a Queen Mary winner to get a mile. But Wayne gave her a beautiful ride."
The victory marked O'Brien's eighth in the 213th running of the Classic, cementing his legacy as one of the race's most successful trainers.