O’Brien targets Matron outing for Winter

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that a trip to Leopardstown for the Matron Stakes is likely to be next on the agenda for Winter.

Her stunning three-year-old campaign has included 1000 Guineas wins on both sides of the Irish Sea, while she also counts the Coronation Cup amongst her triumphs.

It had been suggested that O’Brien could look to test her against the boys in Saturday’s Irish Champion Stakes, an entry that would have seen her go up against brilliant stablemate Churchill.

The Ballydoyle handler claims there is a chance the pair could still meet but says that if all goes to plan with the filly, a run over a mile in Sunday’s Matron will mark her next outing.

“It’s definitely a possibility, but I’d say the Matron is the favourite at the moment,” said O’Brien.

“She’s had a little break since the last day she ran and she’s done very well.”