'She helped my career big style in just my second season'

Horse Just The Judge
Trainer Charlie Hills
Biggest win 2013 Irish 1,000 Guineas
Other highlights Winning the Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes in 2014 and being sold for 4.5 million gns later that year

Carrying on a family tradition: Just The Judge scores at Newbury as a two-year-old in the colours of the Sangster familyCredit: Mark Cranham

At €50,000 she wasn't very expensive and initially she ran in the colours of the Sangster family, who my family go back a long way with, so it was great for me to see that tradition continued. Having my brother Michael on board made it even more special, while selling to Qatar Racing meant we enjoyed some great times with her and Sheikh Fahad before she made a lot of money at the sales.

She was unbeaten as a two-year-old and was one of the favourites for the Guineas all through the winter, which was a nice feeling to have at the end of only my second season as a trainer, so she helped my career big style, finishing second at Newmarket then going on to win the Irish Guineas – in fact she won a Group race at two, three and four. The best day had to be at the Curragh but I did enjoy her winning the E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine, as it's always a little bit special going abroad and taking them on.