Just The Judge stretches out well for the line ahead of Just Pretending and Big Break© Photo Healy Racing
His father Barry won the Ethiad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas a couple of times and Charlie Hills gained compensation for Just The Judge s heart-breaking defeat at Newmarket when she won the Irish equivalent today at the Curragh under Jamie Spencer.
The well-backed favourite was always travelling comfortably, she was produced at the right time and she was never going to be beaten from the furlong marker as she accounted for the staying-on Rehn's Nest by a length and a half to credit Qatar Racing Ltd with their first classic. Just The Judge is partly owned by the Sangster family too. Maureen (6th), What Style (13th) and Hanky Panky (7th) all suffered in scrimmaging at the two furlong pole but in truth Just The Judge wasn't for beating on the day.
Charlie Hills said: "It feels pretty good. It's more relief at the moment but I'm sure I'll wake up in the middle of the night thinking it's great.
"He never really had to pick the stick up to her and he gave her a beautiful ride.
"He was in the right position and produced her at the right time.
"It was a big decision to come here and I'm glad we did.
"He'll (his father Barry) be watching on tv and I'm sure he'll have a tear in his eye.
"They (Qatar Racing) have been fantastic over the last few years. They are great supporters of the sport worldwide. It's great to see them get this success.
"As long as she's okay she'll go for the Coronation – it's 26 days away so that's perfect timing."
Spencer divulged: "She's a smart filly. I probably got rolling a little bit early at Newmarket. We went steady and it can be tricky there for a big filly like her.
"I was out in plenty of time today too. She's a filly with a long stride and you don't want to be breaking her stride. I'm sure she'd get ten furlongs standing on her head.
"She travels well but she doesn't have an instant kick. When you let her down over a furlong she stretches really well.
"It would have been nice to win at Newmarket but I'm sure Sheikh Fahad will be happy to win here.
"I'm very pleased to be riding the horses for him. He's extremely enthusiastic and horse racing needs people like him.
"He knows all about it. He was very keen for the filly to come here. In fact he was instrumental in it – I was keen to wait for Ascot but that shows you what I know.
"She's won her Classic now – she's done her job and hopefully she'll have a good second half to the season.
"She's out of a Rainbow Quest mare so there's plenty of stamina on her dam-side but you'd have to think the Coronation will be next. We'll leave that to Charlie. I'm sure Barry Hills will have something to say as well." (GC & EM)
