American football-themed moniker given to Beholder's first foal

Beholder's first foal, a colt by Uncle Mo, has been christened by Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky, after the stud ran a naming competition that received over 4,000 suggestions.

Among the more creative entries was Mo And Behold but after some time, the judges eventually whittled the shortlist down to QB One.

The rationale for choosing the name was that it stands for Queen B's One (first foal) - Queen B being the affectionate term giving to Beholder by the farm, while in American football, 'QB1' is the term used to describe a team's starting quarterback. The position is regarded as the most important in the team and has been played by stars such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Joe Montana.

Of course, QB One is not the first thoroughbred to be named after the popular US sport.

Gronskowski, winner of the Listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on Good Friday, is named after Rob Gronkowski, an American football tight-end for the New England Patriots, and he now looks set for a tilt at the Kentucky Derby.

The connection with the Run for the Roses does not end there, however, as Beholder's Scat Daddy half-brother Mendelssohn enhanced his Kentucky Derby credentials by winning the Group 2 UAE Derby at Meydan on Saturday.